Oregon Beach News, Tuesday 7/20 – Coos Bay To Get New Dispatching Equipment, Update: Fatal Crash on Hwy 30

The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Oregon Beach Weather

Today– Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 65. North northwest wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Wednesday– Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Breezy, with a north wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday– Sunny, with a high near 65. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 8 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Friday– Sunny, with a high near 66. Breezy.

Saturday– Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

LOCAL HEADLINES:

Coos Bay To Get New Dispatching Equipment

9-1-1 / Dispatch | Coos County OR

The Coos Bay City Council voted unanimously to spend up to $159,000 to purchase new equipment for emergency dispatchers.

Police Chief Chris Chapanar said the equipment for the 9-1-1 dispatchers is desperately needed.

“The 9-1-1 dispatch center is currently using out-of-date equipment that was purchased over 15 years ago,” Chapanar told the council. “The equipment has not only become outdated, but obviously it’s technologically driven, and that has become outdated as well. It is no longer serviceable, and the components are no longer being manufactured.”

Chapanar said the police department has spent several years researching the best equipment before deciding on AvTec. He asked the council to approve the purchase and installation of three dispatch stations with new monitors, speakers, headsets and hardware. A new server and new connections to the radio system are also part of the project.

The system will include a new recording system that will record all calls to 9-1-1 and the police station, as required by state law.

Chapanar said while AvTec makes the best equipment they could find, there was another advantage of choosing the company.

“During our evaluation process, we learned that both North Bend Police Department, as well as Coos County Sheriff’s Office, have both recently purchased Avtec consoles for their dispatch centers and are happy with their decision,” Chapanar said. “Learning this information made our decision to choose Avtec consoles much easier and will make all three dispatch centers in the Coos County area consistent and our interoperability seamless, should such a time ever be needed to utilize one another’s center in the event of a major incident or natural disaster.”

Chapanar said the city will hire Communications Northwest to install the equipment and expects the work to be done in August. That will time in closely to when a new emergency radio system will be finished countywide.

Chapanar said not only was Communications Northwest the low bidder, the company also did the work for Coos County and North Bend recently. He also noted the company is based in Oregon.

“It is the desire of the Coos Bay Police Department to utilize an installation company that is Oregon based and is familiar with the needs of Coos Bay and Coos County,” Chapanar said. “Communications Northwest is that company. They are familiar with our area’s needs, as they have installed both North Bend and Coos County’s consoles within the past two years. Further, there is the potential need for the installation company to be able to respond to our location for any in person service needs the center may face in a timely manner. As everyone is aware, a 9-1-1 center is critical, and in the event of equipment failure, immediate attention is needed and required.

The council voted unanimously to approve the request.

Update: Fatal Crash on Hwy 30

Oregon State Police - Home | Facebook

Oregon State Police troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash at 12:50 a.m. Monday, July 19, on Hwy 30 near milepost 87.

Preliminary investigation revealed a Mazda Protege, operated by Joshua Johns of Westport, was eastbound when it crossed into the westbound lane and collided with a Kia Sorento operated by Joe Houston of Ocean Park, Wash.

Johns sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at Columbia Memorial Hospital (CMH). The passenger, Danielle Hammer of Westport, was transported to CMH for injuries.

Houston and passenger, Kathryn Matthai of Ocean Park, were both transported to CMH for injuries.

OSP was assisted by the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office and ODOT.

AROUND the STATE of OREGON

Gov. Brown Set To Speak On The State’s Wildfire Response This Morning

Wildfires in Oregon and Washington have already burned more than 500,00 acres this year. This time last year, about 24,000 acres had burned.

The governor is set to speak at 11:30 a.m., you should be able to watch it here : https://www.youtube.com/c/GovernorKateBrown/featured

WILDFIRE UPDATES

Bootleg Fire 365,000 acres after 9 straight days of extreme fire behavior and has merged with The Log FireIt is also creating its own weather.

The Bootleg Fire has made history, becoming just the fourth wildfire in the modern history of Oregon to surpass 300,000 acres burned. The Bootleg Fire is also the largest wildfire in Klamath County’s history.

The only other wildfires now larger than the Bootleg Fire, in the modern era, are the Buzzard Complex (395,747 acres), the Biscuit Fire (500,000 acres) and the Long Draw Fire (558,198 acres). Fire officials have told Wynne Broadcasting’s TV partner, NewsWatch 12, that the Bootleg Fire was extremely active on Sunday and that there was a significant increase in fire activity compared to previous days. Officials also say that the fire picked up steam once again on the northern and southeastern flanks.

Sunday was the ninth day consecutive day of extreme behavior from the Bootleg Fire, which is still growing in size 28 miles northeast of Klamath Falls. As of Monday, it was 303,791 acres in size and firefighters had 25 percent containment. More than 2,100 personnel are on site fighting the fire. Firefighters moved to safety zones and looked for opportunities to re-engage, according to fire managers.

There was active fire overnight Sunday into Monday on the southeastern corner. A fire slop over across the 28 Road is estimated to be over 2,500 acres in the Elder Creek area. Firefighters worked through the night to limit growth. On the north edge, firefighters disengaged when the fire aggressively moved past retardant lines three to four miles north toward Long Creek. The Nature Conservancy station at Sycan Marsh was evacuated and firefighters provided structure protection.

Missing Firefighter on Bootleg Fire Found Safe

Firefighters and law enforcement officers started a search mission on Sunday after learning that a firefighter had gone missing while working near the Bootleg Fire.

According to the incident management team, a fire crew was working to contain spot fires in the Happy Camp area of the Fremont National Forest when one of the firefighters got separated from the rest of the crew. A report about the missing man went out at 6:30 p.m.

Another fire crew joined the search, in addition to personnel from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Fire officials said that a Rapid Extraction Module, “a highly skilled and specially equipped team used to provide emergency medical services and extraction to firefighters on the line,” also deployed to help in getting the firefighter out.

Officials said that the firefighter was in good spirits when they reached him, and he was able to hike to the road where an ambulance was waiting. Medical staff took him to Lakeview Hospital for evaluation.

Jack Fire:

Evacuation levels have been downgraded for the Jack Fire, meaning only a Level 1 order — the lowest of the three — remains in place.

The Dry Creek community and surrounding areas are no longer under the higher Level 2 Be Set order. All areas previously under a Level 1 are no longer under an official notice.

Containment has surged to 50% as crews work to line the fire, which has burned nearly 18,000 acres.

Drivers should use caution along Highway 138 which was recently reopened. 

Firefighters are deepening control lines north of the highway and are continuing to mop up and secure line. On the eastern flank, burnout operations are underway, and snags and at-risk trees are being removed to make roads safe. 

South of the highway, crews are preparing control lines and burned vegetation on the west and southwest flanks. To the south and southeast, crews are clearing roads used as control lines. 

Mop up and patrols continue around structures in the Dry Creek area and around Horseshoe Bend Campground. 

Grandview Fire:

Deschutes and Jefferson County emergency officials dropped all remaining evacuation levels Monday on the 6,032-acre Grandview Fire northeast of Sisters as crews brought the fire to nearly 60 percent containment.

The Grandview fire acreage remains at 6,032 acres. Containment on the fire is now 57%. Crews are pushing mop up from 50 feet to 100 feet or more inside the fire line. The goal over the next few days is to remove all heat at least 300 feet from the fire’s edge. Searching for lingering heat is done by carefully searching in grids, finding hot spots in the ground, and cooling them. Each grid is searched several times to ensure that all heat is gone.

Team 2 successfully conducted an incident-wide simulated Incident Within an Incident, followed by a safety stand down to allow crews to discuss and review the safety protocols for rapid response to aid an injured firefighter.  Snags are a continuing concern around the perimeter of the fire and felling crews will work to remove them to reduce risk of hazard. Temperatures will be in the low 90’s with light winds out of the NW.

Elbow Creek Fire:

The Elbow Creek Fire is continuing to grow in size.  As of the latest update, the blaze burning southwest of Troy is at a reported 16,432 acres, with the latest total including growth not previously captured by infrared mapping, according to the Type 1 Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 that is battling the fire. 

There are a total of 343 firefighters currently working on the fire, the team said. 

“Crews continued to manage northside lines of the fire perimeter successfully,” the update stated. “Growth occurred on the southwest side with winds out of the northeast pushing the fire through the canyons. Steep and rocky terrain continues to be challenging in the canyons of the Grande Ronde River.

With a limited number of crews, the incident management team will focus efforts in the most challenging areas along the southwestern portions of the fire in the Grossman Creek Drainage. Dozers are also being utilized in this area along the top of canyon shelves where they can be more effective. The eastern edge of the fire is holding and has transitioned to mop-up operations.”

Weather conditions could bring additional challenges to firefighters. A red flag warning is in effect, with the potential for severe lightning and thunderstorms in the forecast. “Thunderstorm activity could also bring erratic winds, further challenging fire suppression actions,” the update read. 

Bruler Fire:

The Bruler Fire was detected on July 12, 2021 and is located near the boundary between the Detroit and Sweet Home Ranger Districts.  The fire is burning near the junction of Forest Road 11 (Straight Creek Road/Quartzville Road) and Forest Road 1133 approximately 8 miles south of Detroit Lake. Local firefighters and aircraft rapidly responded to aggressively attack the fire.

 A Type 2 Northwest Incident Management team, Team 13, has taken command of the fire.  Additional resources have been ordered and are expected to arrive in the coming days.

Smoke will continue to be visible from the town of Detroit and Santiam Pass. There may be increased fire traffic on Highway 22. The fire is not currently threatening any communities or structures. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

Darlene Fire:

Darlene Fire 85% contained and evacuation levels further reduced.

This decision was made after consultation with fire managers. We will continue to work with fire managers to ensure public safety and prevent conflicts between citizens and fire operations.  Please refrain from unnecessary travel through these areas as fire equipment and personnel are moving through the area. 

Several property owners sustained damage from the fire.  At this time, preliminary reports indicate 2 residential buildings, several outbuildings, RVs, and other vehicles were damaged or destroyed.  Property owners inside the fire area, should be aware of hazards including burned trees, structures that may been destroyed by fire, and hazardous substances.  Please use caution if your property was impacted by fire.  

Game Hog Creek Fire:

As of the afternoon of Sunday, July 18, the 182 acre Game Hog Creek Fire was kept in check and showed low fire activity thanks to the aid of aircraft used Saturday on the fire.

Crews were also able to complete line construction into the Elk Creek drainage where the terrain is steepest, halting the spread of the wildfire. 

The jump from 135 acres to 182 acres appears to be the result of better mapping, not a significant new spread of fire.

COVID UPDATES

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Coronavirus-update-1-1.jpg

Oregon reports 777 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 9 new deaths

There are nine new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,826. The Oregon Health Authority reported 777 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 212,755.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (19), Clackamas (73), Clatsop (3), Columbia (7), Coos (13), Crook (5), Deschutes (29), Douglas (33), Harney (1), Hood River (1), Jackson (56), Jefferson (11), Josephine (57), Klamath (1), Lane (53), Lincoln (4), Linn (36), Malheur (2), Marion (35), Morrow (9), Multnomah (196), Polk (10), Sherman (3), Tillamook (9), Umatilla (22), Union (10), Wallowa (3), Wasco (1), Washington (58) and Yamhill (17).   

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported that 2,497 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry. Of this total, 1,717 doses were administered on July 18 and 780 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on July 18.

The seven-day running average is now 4,794 doses per day. Oregon has now administered 2,617,037 first and second doses of Pfizer, 1,768,355 first and second doses of Moderna and 176,631 single doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,452,035 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,279,253 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series. These data are preliminary and subject to change. Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 148, which is six more than yesterday. There are 39 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is five fewer than yesterday.

The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity. More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Most Oregon Children Will Soon Receive Up To $1,100 Each To Help Buy Food

This week, Oregon children will begin receiving the first of three monthly payments of up to $408 per child to help their families afford to feed them.

The payments, which have barely been publicized, are intended to make up for the free or reduced-cost meals that more than 400,000 preschoolers and public school students missed out on during the past year, while their schools and child care centers were closed.

That means most Oregonians age 18 and under will get the money, which can be spent on any of the wide array of foods and beverages that people are allowed to purchase with food stamps.

For children enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the extra money will be loaded onto their parents’ Oregon Trail cards between Thursday and July 29, then again in late August and late September.

Former Douglas County Commissioner Killed in Crash Riding His Motorcycle

Former Douglas County Commissioner Joe Laurance died Monday when he crashed into a car while riding a motorcycle on Oregon’s North Umpqua Highway 138E.

Laurance, 71, suffered fatal injuries in the crash between Glide and Steamboat around 12:30 p.m. Monday, July 19.

Oregon State Police said the initial investigation found that a Subaru Forrester driven by a 54-year-old from Wisconsin “was westbound and attempted to turn left into a roadside pull out when it was struck by an also westbound Honda motorcycle” driven by Laurance.

The driver of the Subaru was not injured, police said.

Laurance served as a Douglas County Commissioner in position #2, currently occupied by Commissioner Tim Freeman, for two terms (eight years) from January 2007 to December 2014.

OSP was assisted by Glide Fire Department and ODOT.

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