NOTE: Not all regional fire news is included here. For
more, see:
The Oregon Department of Forestry's sites at:
www.swofire.com, www.swofire.oregon.gov,
wildfireoregondeptofforestry.blogspot.com/,
and their Fire Stats, Info & Updates page at www.oregon.gov/odf/Pages/fire/fire.aspx#Fire_Stats,_Info_&_Updates_.
The CAL-FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection)
website at: http://www.fire.ca.gov/,
which has links to a listing of fire incidents.
An archive of pre-season weather condition reports is also below.
2014 FIRE SEASON SUMMARY:
The 2014 fire season started June 2 and lasted
136 days, ending on Wed., October 15th.
THE 2014 FIRE SEASON began Mon., June 2nd, declared
in effect by the Oregon Dept. of Forestry for the Southwest Oregon
District. We went from Moderate (blue) fire danger to High (yellow)
on June 16th, with the IFPL (Industrial Fire Precaution Level) remaining
at 1 (one). The IFPL increased to Level 2 (two) on Mon. July 14th.
On Sat. July 19th, the fire danger level increased to "Extreme"
(red), with the IFPL remaining at Level 2 (two) at this time. On
Mon., August 4th, a total 24-hour shutdown of all power-driven and
spark emitting equipment for publicly regulated activities and a
rise to IFPL Level 3 (three) went into effect. On Mon., August 18th,
the IFPL was temporarily lowered back to Level 2 (two), with public
use restrictions unchanged; on Tues., August 26th, the IFPL returned
to Level 3 (three), with public restrictions unchanged. On Sept.
18th, the IFPL was again lowered to Level 2, again with all public
use restrictions unchanged. On Wed., Sept. 24th, the posted fire
danger level was reduced to High (Yellow), with all public use restrictions
on power equipment lifted but with fire season still in effect and
with burn barrels and open burning remaining prohibited; the IFPL
was also lowered to Level 1 (one). Due to more than expected rain
at that time, the ODF again lowered the fire danger level to Moderate
(blue) later on Sept. 24th but did not issue another public news
release, keeping all other conditions of the previous bulletin intact.
As warm, dry weather continued, the Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued
an update on Fri. Oct. 3rd with fire safety warnings directed to
hunters, as well as anyone engaged in outdoor activities. Finally,
with a change to wetter conditions, the 2014 fire season was declared
over by the Oregon Dept. of Forestry on the morning of Wed., Oct.
15th.
The 2014 fire season was declared over by
the Oregon Dept. of Forestry at 8:30 a.m. Wed., October 15th:
October 15, 2014
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT - SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
5286 Table Rock Rd
Medford, OR 97502
Contact: Brian Ballou, Oregon Dept. of Forestry
FIRE SEASON ENDS ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS
Fire season ends today on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected
lands in southwest Oregon. Rainfall of at least one-half inch was
recorded in many parts of the district, which includes state, private,
county, city and Bureau of Land Management forestlands in Jackson
and Josephine counties.
Fire season started June 2 and lasted 136 days.
The termination of fire season removes fire prevention regulations
on equipment use and the use of fire for debris burning. This applies
to the public and to industrial operations on forestlands. However,
many structural fire protection districts require permits for debris
burning, and both Jackson and Josephine counties have telephone
numbers to call to find out whether air quality conditions allow
burning. The numbers to call are:
• Josephine County: (541) 476-9663
• Jackson County: (541) 776-7007
More than 280 fires burned 9,559 acres on forestlands protected
by ODF’s Southwest Oregon District. There are 1.8 million
acres of forestland within the district’s protection boundary
in Jackson and Josephine counties.
The largest blaze on the district was the Oregon Gulch Fire, which
burned 35,129 acres of forestland in Jackson and Klamath counties,
and Northern California. The Jackson County portion of the fire
burned 8,306 acres, approximately 14 miles southeast of Ashland.
The Oregon Gulch Fire was reported July 30 and was one fire in a
complex of 23 other lightning-caused fires scattered around Jackson
County.
The Salt Creek Fire, which also started July 30, burned 155 acres
of forestland approximately 8 miles west of Shady Cove.
Lightning started 98 fires on the district and burned 9,071 acres.
The thunderstorms hit July 11, July 22, July 29-30, August 11 and
August 18.
The earliest fire on the district this year was the 143-acre Alder
Creek Fire, which started January 23 during a period of unusual
dryness and strong east winds. A fire that had been set to burn
slash escaped control and started the Alder Creek Fire.
The 2014 fire season was similar to the summer of 2013, during
which 348 fires burned 43,078 acres on lands protected by the Southwest
Oregon District. Lightning-caused fires that year burned more than
42,000 acres.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s
fire season regulations, contact the unit office in your area:
• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. Phone:
(541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Drive, Grants Pass. Phone:
(541) 474-3152
Southwest Oregon District fire precaution level information is
also posted online at www.swofire.com.
###
Brian Ballou
Fire Prevention Specialist
ODF Southwest Oregon District
The Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued an update
on Fri. Oct. 3rd with fire safety warnings directed to
hunters, as well as anyone engaged in outdoor activities:
October 3, 2014
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT - SOUTHWEST OREGON MEDIA
5286 Table Rock RD
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Kaitlyn Webb, Oregon Department of Forestry
Brian Ballou, Oregon Department of Forestry
PREVENT WILDFIRES THIS HUNTING SEASON
It is hunting season and there are precautions to be taken when
walking and driving in fire-prone forests and areas burned by last
summer’s wildfires. The threat of new fires igniting is not
completely behind us, and the dangers within old burns can be hidden.
There are three key elements hunters should be paying attention
to this fall: Put out campfires completely before leaving camp,
watch out for fire-damaged trees, and don’t be surprised to
see a smoke or two inside recently burned areas.
Although the hottest months of summer have passed, vegetation remains
dry and the chance of an abandoned campfire turning into a harmful
blaze is still possible. It is important to have a campfire only
in a place where its heat and sparks won’t ignite nearby grass,
brush and trees. There should be at least 5 feet of mineral soil
around the fire pit and 15 feet of vertical space above it. Surround
the fire pit with rock or a metal ring. Before going to bed or leaving
camp, the campfire should be completely extinguished. This can be
done by pouring water on the fuels, mixing dirt into the coals,
or separating fuels from each other. A fully extinguished campfire
should be cold to the touch.
A serious danger hunters may encounter in areas where wildfires
burned this last summer are the dead trees (snags) that are still
standing. These trees are not stable since the trunks have been
weakened by fire so they can easily topple over which can be harmful
to any passerby who is struck. Windy days increase the danger of
falling trees and injury. Camping inside of old burns is not advisable,
it is best to spend as little time as possible in old fires. The
Oregon Gulch fire is an example of a recent burn which hunters should
use extra caution when entering. Users must be aware of their surroundings
and be educated on the risks found within recent forest fires. It
is smart when walking through previously burned areas to keep your
eyes up and scan the trees, listen for falling or cracking noises,
and avoid areas dense with burned trees if possible since these
unsteady snags can be fatal.
In addition to dead and burned trees, forest fires also leave behind
potentially harmful hot spots. After a fire has been contained and
appears to be out, pockets of heat can smolder for long periods
of time. If stepped in or touched, a hot pocked from an old fire
can cause burns. These hotspots can be harmful to hunters and anyone
exploring through previously burned lands.
Hot spots can be identified by white ash or steam, they often
fester around roots or stumps, and are evident by increased temperatures
when touched. Moving slowing and being aware of one’s surroundings
will reduce the chances of stumbling upon a dangerous hot spot in
recently burned areas.
Fire season has not come to a close with the arrival of fall,
in fact the end is not yet in site. This time of year is still very
fire-prone and with the addition of an extraordinarily dry past
year forest users must take extra precautions. Be aware of your
surroundings, be responsible with campfires, and avoid dangerous
areas due to past fire activity if possible.
• If you see smoke in an old burn and would like to report
it, please call the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Medford
Unit office at (541) 664-3328, or the Grants Pass Unit office at
(541) 474-3152.
• If you encounter smoke or fire activity within an old
burn that places someone in danger please call 9-1-1.
###
Brian Ballou
Fire Prevention Specialist
ODF Southwest Oregon District
[NOTE: ODF's news bulletin of 24 Sept. says that the fire danger
level is "High" but due to significant rainfall it was
lowered again later on that same date to "Moderate" with
all other information unchanged; no additional news release was
sent out reflecting this fire danger level re-designation.]
September 24, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
5286 Table Rock RD
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Greg Alexander, Asst. District Forester, Medford, (541)
664-3328
Rick Dryer, Asst. District Forester, Grants Pass, (541) 474-3152
Matthew Krunglevich, ODF SWO District Fire Planner, (541) 664-3328
RAIN REDUCES FIRE DANGER LEVEL ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS
Cool and wet weather across southwest Oregon reduced wildfire danger
on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s
Southwest Oregon District. The public regulated use fire danger
level dropped to “high” (yellow) today. Industrial Fire
Precaution Level (IFPL) 1 (one) also took effect this morning.
All restrictions on power equipment use by the public have been
suspended. The restrictions on campfire use outside of designated
campgrounds and driving motorized vehicles off improved roads have
also been suspended. However, pile burning and burn barrel use will
not be allowed. Fire season remains in effect in southwest Oregon.
Fire prevention regulations may change in a few days if dry weather
conditions return.
These regulations affect 1.8 million acres of state, private, county,
city and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine
counties.
The following public fire prevention regulations remain
in effect:
• No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in
burn barrels;
• No fireworks use on forestlands;
• Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet
with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited;
• Smoking while traveling is allowed only in enclosed vehicles
on improved roads;
• Electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally
recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories
Inc., or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business
Services, and be installed and used in compliance with the fence
controller’s instructions for fire safe operation.
Under IFPL 1:
• Loggers and other industrial operators must have fire
suppression tools at the job site;
• Watchman service must be provided.
Information about fire season restrictions on ODF-protected lands
is available online at www.swofire.com
and at ODF Southwest Oregon District unit offices:
• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd: (541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr: (541) 474-3152
###
Brian Ballou
Fire Prevention Specialist
ODF Southwest Oregon District
September 18, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
5286 Table Rock RD
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Brian Ballou, (541) 664-3328
INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTION LEVEL 2 TAKES EFFECT TODAY
The Industrial Fire Prevention Level (IFPL) in forests and wildlands
protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in southwest Oregon
lowered from level 3 to level 2 this morning. This affects the 1.8
million acres of state, county, private and Bureau of Land Management
lands protected by ODF’s Southwest Oregon District in Jackson
and Josephine counties.
The public fire prevention regulations as well as the restrictions
in effect in the Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River between
Grave Creek and Marial remain the same.
The following IFPL 2 regulations are now in effect:
• The use of fire in any form is prohibited
• The use of power saws is prohibited, except at loading sites,
between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• The use of cable yarders is prohibited between 1:00 p.m.
and 8:00 p.m.
• Blasting is prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• Welding and the cutting of metal are prohibited between
1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Additionally, commercial operators on forestlands are required
to have fire suppression equipment on site and provide watchman
service.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s
fire season regulations, contact the unit office in your area:
• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. Phone:
(541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Drive, Grants Pass. Phone:
(541) 474-3152
Southwest Oregon District fire precaution level information is
also posted online at www.swofire.com.
###
Brian Ballou
Fire Prevention Specialist
ODF Southwest Oregon District
The IFPL returned to Level 3 (three) as of
Tues., August 26th, as per ODF's latest August 25th bulletin:
August 25, 2014
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT - SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
5286 Table Rock Rd, Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Brian Ballou
IFPL 3 RETURNS TUESDAY ON
ODF-PROTECTED LANDS IN SW OREGON
A stretch of very hot and dry weather begins tomorrow in southwest
Oregon, prompting a return to Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL)
3 at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, on lands protected by the Oregon
Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District. The district
protects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county and Bureau
of Land Management forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties.
The public regulated use fire danger level remains unchanged at
“extreme” (red). For a complete list of public regulated
use restrictions, see www.swofire.com, or call your local Oregon
Department of Forestry unit office.
Under IFPL 3, the following fire prevention regulations
take effect tomorrow:
• Cable yarding will not be allowed. However, gravity operated-logging
systems employing non-motorized carriages may operate until 1:00
p.m. and after 8:00 p.m. These systems must have all blocks and
moving lines suspended 10 feet above the ground, except the line
between the carriage and the chokers;
• Power saw use will not be allowed. However, power saws
may be used until 1:00 p.m. and after 8:00 p.m. at loading sites
and on tractor or skidder operations;
• In addition, the following equipment and operations must
shut down between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.:
o Tractor/skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder, or shovel logging
operations where tractors, skidders or other equipment with a blade
capable of constructing fireline are immediately available to quickly
reach and effectively attack a fire start;
o Mechanized loading or hauling of any product or material;
o Blasting;
o Welding or cutting of metal;
o Any spark-emitting not specifically mentioned above.
The following IFPL regulations are currently in effect and will
remain in effect:
• The use of fire in any form is prohibited;
• Commercial operations must have fire suppression equipment
on the job site;
• Watchman service must be provided.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s
fire season regulations, contact the unit office in your area:
• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. Phone:
(541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Drive, Grants Pass. Phone:
(541) 474-3152
Southwest Oregon District fire prevention regulations are also
posted on the World Wide Web at www.swofire.com.
###
Brian Ballou
Fire Prevention Specialist
ODF Southwest Oregon District
On Mon., August 18th, the IFPL was temporarily lowered
back to 2 (two), replacing the Level 3 declared in ODF's earlier
bulletin of August 1st:
Monday, August 18, 2014
IFPL 2 Takes Effect Today
Loggers and workers on other industrial operations
in forests and wildlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry
in southwest Oregon can work a few extra hours starting today. Industrial
Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) 2 took effect at 12:01 a.m. today.
There are no changes to public fire prevention regulations.
Under IFPL 2, the following restrictions now apply:
The use of fire in any form is prohibited;
Power saws must be shut down between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.,
except at loading sites;
Cable yarders must be shut down between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 pm.;
Blasting, welding and the cutting of metal must be shut down between
1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Additionally, commercial operations must have fire suppression
equipment and watchman service on the job site.
On Fri., August 1st, the ODF announced a total shutdown
(24-hour ban) on all power-driven and spark-emitting equipment for
publicly regulated activities, and a rise to IFPL (Industrial) Level
3 (three), effective as of August 4th. ODF's bulletin states:
August 1, 2014
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT SOUTHWEST - OREGON NEWS MEDIA
5286 Table Rock Rd
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Brian Ballou
POWER EQUIPMENT SHUTDOWN, IFPL 3 STARTS MONDAY
ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS IN SW OREGON
Very dry conditions in southwest Oregon’s forests and wildlands,
and the recent outbreak of large wildfires, makes it necessary for
the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District
to shut down public use of power-driven and spark-emitting equipment
starting Monday, Aug. 4, at 12:01 a.m.
In addition, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) rises
to level 3 (three) on that same day.
The fire danger level remains “extreme” (red).
These regulations affect the 1.8 million acres of state, private,
county and Bureau of Land Management forestlands in Jackson and
Josephine counties.
Below are the public regulated use restrictions that take
effect Monday [August 4th]:
• Chain saw use will be prohibited;
• Mowing of dried and cured grass with power driven equipment
will be prohibited, except for the mowing of green lawns, or the
commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops;
• Cutting, grinding and welding of metal will be prohibited.
The following public regulated use restrictions are currently in
effect and will remain in effect:
• Debris burning is prohibited;
• Burn barrel use is prohibited;
• Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles
on improved roads;
• Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal
fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at designated locations.
Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed;
• Use of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain
vehicles, is prohibited, except on improved roads;
• Use of fireworks is prohibited;
• Any electric fence controller in use shall be: 1) Listed
be a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by
the Department of Consumer and Business Services, and 2) Operated
in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions;
• Use of exploding targets is prohibited;
• Use of tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic
charge in its base is prohibited;
• Any other spark-emitting machinery not specifically mentioned
is prohibited;
• Use of sky lanterns is prohibited.
Under IFPL 3, the following fire prevention regulations
take effect on Monday [August 4th]:
• Cable yarding will not be allowed. However, gravity operated-logging
systems employing non-motorized carriages may operate until 1:00
p.m. and after 8:00 p.m. These systems must have all blocks and
moving lines suspended 10 feet above the ground, except the line
between the carriage and the chokers;
• Power saw use will not be allowed. However, power saws
may be used until 1:00 p.m. and after 8:00 p.m. at loading sites
and on tractor or skidder operations;
• In addition, the following equipment and operations must
shut down between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.:
o Tractor/skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder, or shovel logging
operations where tractors, skidders or other equipment with a blade
capable of constructing fireline are immediately available to quickly
reach and effectively attack a fire start;
o Mechanized loading or hauling of any product or material;
o Blasting;
o Welding or cutting of metal;
o Any spark-emitting not specifically mentioned above.
The following IFPL regulations are currently in effect
and will remain in effect:
• The use of fire in any form is prohibited;
• Commercial operations must have fire suppression equipment
on the job site;
• Watchman service must be provided.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s
fire season regulations, contact the unit office in your area:
• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. Phone:
(541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Drive, Grants Pass. Phone:
(541) 474-3152
Southwest Oregon District fire prevention regulations are also
posted on the World Wide Web at www.swofire.com.
###
Brian Ballou
Fire Prevention Specialist
ODF Southwest Oregon District
The ODF released a second bulletin Fri. July 18th detailing
the rise to "Extreme" fire danger and heightened restrictions
for the Rogue River Wild & Scenic Section, effective Sat. July
19th:
July 18, 2014
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
5286 Table Rock Rd
Medford, OR 97502
ROGUE RIVER-SISKIYOU NATIONAL FOREST
Supervisor’s Office
3040 Biddle Rd.
Medford, OR 97504
Contact: Paul Galloway, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Brian Ballou, Oregon Dept. of Forestry
EXTREME FIRE DANGER IN ROGUE RIVER WILD & SCENIC SECTION
No Open Fires Allowed From Grave Creek to Watson Creek
The fire danger level rises to “Extreme” (red) at 12:01
a.m. Saturday, July 19, in the Wild & Scenic Section of the
Rogue River. The Oregon Dept. of Forestry protects the Bureau of
Land Management section of the river between Grave Creek and Marial,
and the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest protects the section
from Marial downstream to Watson Creek.
Here are the regulations going into effect tomorrow:
• Smoking will be prohibited except in boats on the water,
and on naturally vegetation-free gravel bars and sand bars below
the river’s high-water mark.
• Open fires will be prohibited, including camp fires, charcoal
fires, cooking fires and warming fires. However, portable cooking
stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels will be allowed on naturally
vegetation-free gravel bars and sand bars below the high-water mark
• Travelers must carry a shovel and bucket (one-gallon size).
• Fireworks will be prohibited.
For further information about fire restrictions
in all parts of the Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River,
contact the Smullin Visitor Center located at the Rand National
Historic Site at (541) 479-3735.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s
fire season regulations, contact the unit office in your area:
• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. Phone:
(541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Drive, Grants Pass. Phone:
(541) 474-3152
Southwest Oregon District fire precaution level information is
also posted on the World Wide Web at www.swofire.com.
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest fire prevention regulations
are posted online at www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou.
###
Brian Ballou
Fire Prevention Specialist
ODF Southwest Oregon District
On July 18th (at 12:16 pm), the ODF issued the following
bulletin announcing an increase of the posted Fire Danger Level
to EXTREME starting at 12:01 AM Saturday,
July 19th:
July 18, 2014
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
5286 Table Rock Rd
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Brian Ballou
FIRE DANGER JUMPS TO EXTREME ON ODF-PROTECTED
LANDS IN SOUTHWEST OREGON
A long period of temperatures hovering around 100 degrees has
cooked southwest Oregon vegetation into a tinder-dry condition.
In response, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest
Oregon District is raising the fire danger level to “extreme”
(red) at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 19.
The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will remain at Level
2 (two).
The primary difference between current fire prevention regulations
and those taking effect tomorrow affects power-driven equipment,
such as chain saws and mowers. Power-driven equipment will be required
to shut down at 10:00 a.m. instead of 1:00 p.m. And users of other
power-driven, spark-emitting equipment, such as wood splitters and
generators, must also shut down at 10:00 a.m. Equipment use may
resume after 8:00 p.m. In all cases, a fire watch of at least one
hour should take place after the equipment is shut down.
Also, there is a fire prevention regulation being added prohibiting
the use of sky lanterns on lands protected by the Oregon Department
of Forestry.
Here are the details of the adjusted and new regulations
taking effect tomorrow:
• Chain saw use will be prohibited between the hours of 10:00
a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Chain saw use will be permitted at all other
hours, if the following fire fighting equipment is present with
each operating saw: one axe, one shovel, and one 8-ounce or larger
fire extinguisher. In addition, a fire watch will be required at
least one hour following the use of each saw.
• The cutting, grinding and welding of metal will be prohibited
between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. These activities will
be permitted during other hours if conducted in a cleared area and
if a water supply is present.
• The mowing of dry or dead grass with power-driven equipment
will be prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
This will not apply to the mowing of green lawns, or the use of
equipment for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural
crops.
• The operation of any other spark-emitting machinery not
specifically mentioned above will be prohibited between the hours
of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• The use of sky lanterns will be prohibited.
The following fire prevention regulations are currently
in effect and will remain in effect until the fire danger level
drops significantly:
• Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles
on improved roads.
• Debris burning is prohibited.
• Burn barrel use is prohibited.
• Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal
fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except in approved fire
rings at designated campgrounds. In other locations, portable cooking
stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.
• Use of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain
vehicles, is prohibited, except on improved roads or for the commercial
culture and harvest of agricultural crops.
• Use of fireworks is prohibited.
• Any electric fence controller in use shall be: 1) Listed
be a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by
the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and 2) Operated
in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions
• Use of exploding targets is prohibited.
• Use of tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic
charge in its base is prohibited.
For more information about the Oregon Department
of Forestry’s fire season regulations, contact the unit office
in your area:
• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. Phone:
(541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Drive, Grants Pass. Phone:
(541) 474-3152
Southwest Oregon District fire prevention regulations are also
posted online at www.swofire.com.
###
Brian Ballou
Fire Prevention Specialist
ODF Southwest Oregon District
On July 8th, the ODF issued the following bulletin announcing
an increase of the posted IFPL (Industrial Fire Precaution Level)
to 2 (two) starting on Mon., July 14th:
July 8, 2014
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
5286 Table Rock RD
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Greg Alexander, (541) 664-3328
Rick Dryer, (541) 474-3152
INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTION LEVEL RISES
ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS
IN JACKSON AND JOSEPHINE COUNTIES
Increased fire danger on forestlands protected by the Oregon Department
of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District has made it necessary
to increase the fire prevention measures on industrial operations,
such as logging sites and other commercial operations. Industrial
Fire Precaution Level II (two) takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday,
July 14, and includes the following restrictions:
• The use of fire in any form will be prohibited
• The use of power saws will be prohibited, except at loading
sites, between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• The use of cable yarders will be prohibited between 1:00
p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• Blasting will be prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00
p.m.
• Welding or cutting of metal will be prohibited between
1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Additionally, commercial operators on forestlands are required
to have fire suppression equipment on site and provide watchman
service.
These regulations affect all state, county, private and Bureau
of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The
regulated use zones affected by this proclamation include SW-1,
SW-2, SW-3, SW-4, SK-3, RR-1, RR-2 and RR-3, and all forestland
within one-eighth of a mile of these zones.
The public regulated use fire danger level remains at
“high” (yellow).
The following fire prevention regulations took effect June
16:
• No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in
burn barrels;
• No fireworks use on forestlands;
• Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet
with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited;
• Campfires are allowed only in designated campgrounds.
Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed in
other locations;
• Motorized vehicles are allowed only on improved roads;
• Chain saws may not be used between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00
p.m. During other hours, chain saw users must have an ax, a shovel
and an 8-oz or larger fire extinguisher at the job site, and a fire
watch is required for one hour after the saw is shut down;
• Mowing of dead or dry grass with power-driven equipment
is not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. This restriction
does not include mowing of green lawns, or equipment used for the
commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops;
• Cutting, grinding or welding metal are not allowed between
1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. These activities are allowed during other
hours provided the work site is cleared of potentially flammable
vegetation and other materials, and a water supply is at the job
site;
• Smoking while traveling is allowed only in enclosed vehicles
on improved roads;
• Electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally
recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories
Inc., or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business
Services, and be installed and used in compliance with the fence
controller’s instructions for fire safe operation.
In the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River between
Grave Creek and Marial, the following fire prevention restrictions
also went into effect on June 16:
• Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in boats
on the water, and on sand or gravel bars that lie between water
and high water marks that are free of vegetation.
• All travelers are required to carry one shovel and a one-gallon
or larger bucket.
• Use of fireworks is prohibited.
• Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, cooking
fires and warming fires. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied
or bottled fuels, and charcoal fires for cooking and built in raised
fire pans, are allowed on sand or gravel bars that lie between water
and high water marks that are free of vegetation. Ashes must be
hauled out.
For more information about the Oregon Department
of Forestry’s fire season regulations, contact the unit office
in your area:
• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. Phone:
(541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Drive, Grants Pass. Phone:
(541) 474-3152
Southwest Oregon District fire precaution level information is
also posted on the World Wide Web at www.swofire.com.
###
Brian Ballou
Fire Prevention Specialist
ODF Southwest Oregon District
On Wed. morning, June 11th, the ODF issued the following
bulletin announcing an increase of the posted Fire Danger Level
to HIGH starting at 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 16th:
June 11, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
5286 Table Rock RD
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Greg Alexander, Asst. District Forester, (541) 664-3328
Rick Dryer, Asst. District Forester, (541) 474-3152
FIRE DANGER LEVEL CLIMBS TO HIGH ON MONDAY [June 16th]
The fire danger level on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected
lands in Jackson and Josephine counties will increase on Monday,
June 16. The public regulated use fire danger level will be raised
to “high” (yellow) but the Industrial Fire Precaution
Level will remain at level 1 (one).
These regulations affect 1.8 million acres of state, private, county,
city and Bureau of Land Management lands protected by ODF’s
Southwest Oregon District.
Public regulated use restrictions that will take effect
on Monday include:
• No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in
burn barrels;
• No fireworks use on forestlands;
• Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet
with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, will be prohibited;
• Campfires will be allowed only in designated campgrounds.
Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels will be allowed
in other locations;
• Motorized vehicles will be allowed only on improved roads;
• Chain saws may not be used between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00
p.m. During other hours, chain saw users must have an ax, a shovel
and an 8-oz or larger fire extinguisher at the job site, and a fire
watch is required for one hour after the saw is shut down;
• Mowing of dead or dry grass with power-driven equipment
will not be allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. This restriction
does not include mowing of green lawns, or equipment used for the
commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops;
• Cutting, grinding or welding metal will not be allowed
between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. These activities will be allowed
during other hours provided the work site is cleared of potentially
flammable vegetation and other materials, and a water supply is
at the job site;
• Smoking while traveling will be allowed only in enclosed
vehicles on improved roads;
• Electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally
recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories
Inc., or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business
Services, and be installed and used in compliance with the fence
controller’s instructions for fire safe operation.
In the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River between Grave
Creek and Marial, the following fire prevention restrictions will
also go into effect on June 16:
• Smoking will be prohibited while traveling, except in boats
on the water, and on sand or gravel bars that lie between water
and high water marks that are free of vegetation.
• All travelers will be required to carry one shovel and
a one-gallon or larger bucket.
• Use of fireworks will be prohibited.
• Open fires will be prohibited, including campfires, charcoal
fires, cooking fires and warming fires. Portable cooking stoves
using liquefied or bottled fuels, and charcoal fires for cooking
and built in raised fire pans will be allowed on sand or gravel
bars that lie between water and high water marks that are free of
vegetation. Ashes must be hauled out.
For further information about fire restrictions in other parts
of the Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River, contact the Smullin
Visitor Center located at the Rand National Historic Site at (541)
479-3735, or your local Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest office.
Information about fire season restrictions on ODF-protected lands
is available online at www.swofire.com
and at ODF Southwest Oregon District unit offices:
• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd: (541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr: (541) 474-3152
-- 30 --
Brian Ballou
Fire Prevention Specialist
ODF Southwest Oregon District
Fire Season began June 2nd, officially declared
in effect by the Oregon Dept. of Forestry.
The text of ODF's May 30, 2014, bulletin
announcing the start of fire season are as follows:
May 30, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
5286 Table Rock RD
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Greg Alexander, Medford Unit Forester, (541) 664-3328
Rick Dryer, Grants Pass Unit Forester, (541) 474-3152
FIRE SEASON STARTS MONDAY ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS IN JACKSON
AND JOSEPHINE COUNTIES
Fire season on forestlands protected by the Oregon Department of
Forestry’s (ODF) Southwest District begins Monday, June 2,
at 12:01 a.m. The fire danger level will be “moderate”
(blue) and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be 1
(one). This declaration affects state, private, county and Bureau
of Land Management (BLM) forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties.
Fire season is determined by the state forester when vegetation
becomes dry and fires become harder to control.
A dry winter has left dead vegetation (fallen trees and branches,
leaves and litter, etc.) unusually low on moisture content. The
extended forecast for summer in southwest Oregon predicts hotter
and drier than normal conditions, increasing the likelihood of wildfires
starting easily and increasing in size faster. The fire precaution
regulations prohibit activities, such as debris burning, that commonly
cause wildfires in late spring and early summer.
Fire season restrictions that will go into effect on June 2 are
as follows:
• Debris burning will be prohibited, except burn barrels
for which a burn permit has been obtained from ODF or local structural
fire protection districts. Burn barrel use will be completely prohibited
beginning July 1;
• The use of fireworks on forestlands will be prohibited;
• Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet
with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, will be prohibited;
• In the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River between
Grave creek and Marial:
o Campfires must be in fire pans or on a fire blanket that is
placed on sand or gravel bars between the river and the high water
mark, and only in areas which are naturally free of flammable vegetation;
o Smoking will be permitted on sand and gravel bars between the
river and the high water mark, and only in areas naturally free
of flammable vegetation, or in boats and rafts while on the river;
o Travelers must carry a shovel and a bucket with a capacity of
at least one gallon;
• Under IFPL 1, commercial operations, such as timber
harvesting conducted on forestlands, will be required to have fire
suppression equipment on the job site at all times. A watchman must
also be provided.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s
fire season regulations, please call or visit the Southwest Oregon
District unit office nearest to you:
• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. (541)
664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants Pass. (541)
474-3152
Current regulations are also posted online at www.swofire.com.
Brian Ballou
Fire Prevention Specialist
ODF Southwest Oregon District
###
The following is an archive of the 2014 pre-season
outlook:
Key indicators at this point for the fire season ahead
are not looking good.
Weather systems and snowpack levels this past winter and spring
remained unpredictable; the lack of any definable, typical El Nino
or La Nina weather pattern out in the Pacific during the fall of
2013 and the winter of 2013-14 was dubbed "La Nada" (The
Nothing) by one meteorologist.
Since then, while spring precipitation has helped lessen the difference
between actual and average figures, precipitation levels as measured
at the airport in the Rogue Valley are still down by about 2.5 inches.
(17 inches is considered normal; the water year total to date is
only just over 14.5.)
Overall, the dry end to 2013, the very dry January and less-than-average
precipitation since, and the lack of any significant snowpack throughout
the past wet season are not auspicious for the months ahead.
Even back in January, separate NOAA NWS models were showing that
already-existing drought
conditions throughout much of California for the last
several years and that stretched just into Oregon last year have
extended further north and now cover much of the lower third of
the state, blanketing southern Oregon with dark brown, the color
code for "drought" designation.
As precipitation levels in the Rogue Valley remained below average,
on March 19th the Jackson County commissioners declared "a
local drought disaster," and at the County's request, Oregon's
Gov. John Kitzhaber on May 7th declared a drought emergency in Jackson
County, allowing relief funds to be accessed by farmers, ranchers,
and related agricultural interests.
The Mail Tribune's article covering the drought declaration also
stated that "Snowpack in the Rogue Basin is at 31 percent of
average, according to recent U.S. Department of Agriculture reports.
// "Eight snow monitoring sites in the basin have set new record
lows, including three sites on Mt. Ashland," where the Mt.
Ashland Ski park "failed to open for the winter because of
a lack of snow." For more, see the article link below
("Our opinion: Medford's abundant water supplies insulate residents
from the effects of drought").
On May 30th, the ODF's bulletin announcing the start of fire season
also acknowledged that: "A dry winter has left dead vegetation
(fallen trees and branches, leaves and litter, etc.) unusually low
on moisture content. The extended forecast for summer in southwest
Oregon predicts hotter and drier than normal conditions, increasing
the likelihood of wildfires starting easily and increasing in size
faster."
More information about the start of this year's fire season and
the area's available resources is included in the Mail Tribune's
article on Sat. May 31, 2014, titled "A
jump on fire season." The MT's excerpt states:
"Monday's start of the summer wildfire season is southwest
Oregon's earliest in two decades and brings similar wildland conditions
that helped make last year the worst here in more than a decade."
Numerous local news stories over the last 6 months have also underscored
the potential direction that this fire season may be headed in:
"Our
opinion: Medford's abundant water supplies insulate residents from
the effects of drought," Mail Tribune, Fri., May
9, 2014, in Opinion. The MT's excerpt: "Don't let this week's
gloomy skies and spring showers fool you: Southern Oregon is facing
its driest summer on record. The governor's declaration of a drought
emergency Wednesday, and the U.S...."
" 'Grim'
winter leads to drought," Mail Tribune, Thurs.
May 8, 2014, in News. The MT's excerpt: "Gov. John Kitzhaber
declared a drought emergency in Jackson County Wednesday in preparation
for water shortages and low stream flows caused by the worst snowpack
on record."
"Jackson
County declares drought disaster,"
Mail Tribune, Thurs. March 20, 2014 - front page, top. The
MT's excerpt: "Snowpack in the Rogue Basin is at 31 percent
of average, according to recent U.S. Department of Agriculture reports.
// "Eight snow monitoring sites in the basin have set new record
lows, including three sites on Mt. Ashland. // "The Mt. Ashland
Ski Area, which failed to open for the winter because of a lack
of snow, has been hard hit..."
"Government may alter funding to fight wildfires (Federal
proposal could free up natural disaster funds)," by
the AP, Boise, Idaho, carried in the Mail Tribune, Tues., March
18, 2014, pg. 2A. An excerpt: "A bipartisan effort underway
in Congress would change the way the country pays to fight catastrophic
wildfires, tapping natural disaster funds instead of money intended
for fire prevention, lawmakers from Oregon and Idaho said Monday.
// ... // "[Interior Secretary Sally] Jewell noted that in
2013, the fire suppression budget was exceeded by $500 million,
with that money coming from fire restoration and prevention funds.
Firefighting costs have exceeded their budget in eight of the past
10 years. // ... // "Experts at the National Interagency Fire
Center predicted a busy wildfire season in Southern California,
New Mexico and Arizona this year, expanding into Northern California
and southern Oregon later in the year. // " ' Fires are now
often bigger and hotter and last longer,' [Oregon Democratic Senator
Ron] Wyden said, in part because of the frequent 'robbery' of fire
restoration funds for firefighting efforts...' "
"Area
may endure summer drought (Regional watersheds
are at 30 percent of average snowpack)," Mail Tribune,
Mon. March 10, 2014, pg. 1A, top. An excerpt: "One pineapple
express after another bringing warm rain across Oregon has helped
boost reservoirs west of the Cascades and snowpacks in the northern
mountains. // "But U.S. Natural Resources Conservation hydrologist
Julie Koeberle says much of Oregon is still looking at water shortages
this summer, particularly in the parched southern tier of the state."
"Mt.
Ashland Ski Area weighs options for season pass holders,"
Mail Tribune, Mon., March 10, 2014, p. 1A, top. The MT's excerpt:
" Mt. Ashland Ski Area officials said they will announce by
Friday what they will do for skiers and snowboarders who purchased
season passes that they were never able to use this winter."
"Storms
may not relieve Northwest water worries (Northeast
Oregon has the best snowpack at around 70 percent),"
Mail Tribune, Sat., February 8, 2014, page 2A. An excerpt: "The
rain and snow falling across Oregon are far from enough to break
the drought. // "Snowpack levels across most of the state Friday
were less than half of normal, and the drought index was still severe
to moderate. // "National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan
Sandler says it will take near-record rain and snow for the next
three months to get things back to normal."
"How
dry is it? (Wetter, seasonal weather still
not on immediate horizon)," Mail Tribune, Sat., February
1, 2014, pg. 1A, top. An excerpt: "Southern Oregon's snowpack
is the slimmest in Oregon — barely one-fifth of average —
and no drought-busting storms are in the immediate future, meteorologists
say. // "Snowpack in the Rogue and Umpqua basins are at 21
percent of average, tying the Klamath Basin for the worst in the
state."
"Wildfires
spring up from dry weather pattern," Mail Tribune,
Sat. Jan. 25th, 2014, Page 1A. "Federal and state forestry
crews battled two unusually early wildfires Friday that were sparked
in logging debris at opposite ends of Jackson County. // "Crews
from the U.S. Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry worked
to contain the Alder Creek fire outside Shady Cove, which started
at about 2 p.m. Thursday and had grown to 125 acres by Friday. In
Ashland, an 8-acre fire was doused near a fuels-reduction burn pile
near the Horn Gap trailhead. // " 'These were piles (of logging
debris) lit in early December and late November,' said Grayback
Forestry President Mike Wheelock, who sent firefighting crews to
both fires. 'It's quite unusual this time of year to have a holdover
that long. It's a sign of the drought conditions we've had.' "
As of Friday morning, a containment time was not known for the Shady
Cove fire. Other fires burning Friday in Oregon included the Coos
district 300-acre Bone Mountain fire and the 40-acre Camas Creek
fire; the 50-acre Falcon fire and the 30-acre Shingle Mill fire
in the Astoria district; and "five fires between 1 and 200
acres" in the North Cascade district.
"Wind, drought prompt fire danger warnings,"
The Associated Press carried in the Mail Tribune, Friday, Jan. 24th,
2014, Page 1A. "Oregon's rainy reputation is being tested,
as dry grass and brush have prompted unprecedented red flag fire
warnings in the southwestern corner of the state - a situation normally
reserved for late summer." ... "The warnings cover Josephine,
Jackson, Curry, Coos and Douglas counties, and extend south into
California as far as the San Francisco Bay." ... "The
red flag warnings apply to the sunny slopes and ridges above the
fog, at about 2,500 feet, where temperatures can be in the 50s and
winds can gust to 30 mph." ... "Brian Ballou, fire prevention
specialist for the Oregon Department of Forestry, said state and
federal agencies normally conduct prescribed burns in the forests
at this time of year to reduce fire danger in the summer.// "But
the weather has ended the burns, he said.// " 'It's just not
a time to be doing any kind of burning,' he said." ... "A
high pressure ridge stuck off the coast continues to block storms,
starving ski resorts, reservoirs and forests of snow and rain. Mt.
Ashland Ski Area has yet to open for the year.// "The U.S.
Drought Monitor puts nearly all of Oregon in severe drought..."
"NWS
warns that region faces wildfire threat: Gusty winds, low humidity
in the forecast; 'It's more of a summertime' phenomenon"
- Mail Tribune, Wed. Jan. 22, 2014, Page 1A. "Facing a severe
lack of moisture and expecting strong, gusty winds, the National
Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for Thursday evening
through Friday morning across southwestern Oregon. The watch, issued
Tuesday, warns the greatest danger for 'rapid fire growth' will
occur above 3,500 feet, but the advisory touches portions of the
Rogue Valley floor, said Shad Keene, meteorologist with the weather
service in Medford." ... " 'This is for the gusty winds
and the low humidity in combination with the very dry fuels. The
forest is dry. If there was a fire sparked, our primary concern
is the potential for rapid fire growth,' Keene said. 'We may have
had these types of winds already this winter, but it wasn't as dry.
It's been such a long time since we've seen a lot of rain and we're
expecting it to stay dry.' " ... "ODF spokesman Brian
Ballou said he expects a busy fire season if winter weather continues
its current course. 'People just need to be cautious with any open
flame. It's one of those years where you have to be cautious with
anything outdoors,' Ballou said. 'It's already really dry out there.'
"
"Drought may make for a fiery California winter: 150
wildfires so far in January; the average is only 25,"
Los Angeles Times carried in the Mail Tribune, Mon. Jan. 20th, 2014,
Page 2A. "California is bracing for what officials fear could
be an unprecedented winter fire season fueled by record dry conditions
that show no signs of letting up." ... " 'It really is
unprecedented. In my career, I've not seen this level,' Cal Fire
Director Ken Pimlott said. 'It's the first (weeks) of January and
we're seeing conditions that would normally be occurring in midsummer.
That's what we're up against.' " ... "William Patzert,
a climatologist with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada
Flintridge, said California's historically wet months of February,
March and April look bone-dry, and that is going to heighten the
fire danger." ... "Patzert said this season's parched
conditions are part of a longer-term weather pattern in the Pacific
Ocean called the Pacific Decadal Oscillation..." that was,
for almost two decades until the mid-1990s in a 'positive' phase
"that brought pockets of plentiful rain to California and Oregon,"
but that "more recently, the oscillation has trended toward
a 'negative' phase that's pushed the wet climate north and east
of California." ... " 'We don't really understand why
the (change) happens ... but what we do know is that once it happens,
it's persistent.' "
"DRY,
BUT NO DROUGHT - YET: Recent rains helped, but region remains near
historic lows in precipitation, making experts wary,"
Mail Tribune, Sun., Jan. 12th, 2014, Page 1A Headline news. An in-depth
look that reinforces the information in the previous articles, with
details on snowpack, rainfall and reservoir totals thus far. A few
highlights: "Crater Lake, normally covered by 70-plus inches
of snow at this point in the year, reported about 9 inches at midweek.
That followed a snowfall of about 5 inches. On Tuesday morning,
the 4 inches at the park's weather station was the least since record-keeping
began in 1931. // The thin layer covering the Mt. Ashland Ski Area
has kept the ski lifts closed and prompted Mt. Ashland officials
to hold a 'Pray For Snow' event Saturday. // ... A report released
by NRCS last week said snowpack was at 32 percent of the normal
levels statewide as of Jan. 1." The article concludes that:
"Despite the bleak outlook, water officials say it's too early
to panic. // Data from past years show sudden turnarounds can happen,
that it only takes one big storm to turn an otherwise dry year wet...
'This February and March will need to have above-average snow accumulation
if the 2014 snowpack is to rise above the lowest snow levels on
record,' the NRCS report reads." Ultimately, everything depends
on what occurs by April 30th. January is expected to stay mostly
dry, however, so the burden lies with February and March to turn
this scary situation around. Otherwise, we will be using the "D"
word big-time.
"Water rationing challenges Rogue River residents
(Neighbors in local trailer park are feeling the effects
of a dry year)," Mail Tribune, Mon., January 6, 2014,
pg. 3A. An excerpt: "After the big snow of Dec. 6, Rogue River
Mobile Estates was higher and drier than ever. // "Pipes burst
in the freeze that followed... / "The snow did little to relieve
the driest year in Jackson County history, according to the National
Weather Service."
"Dry year for Oregon, Washington - Snowpack suffers;
one meteorologist predicts a warm summer ahead," by
the AP and carried in the Mail Tribune, Thurs., January 2, 2014,
Page 2A, spells out plainly the writing on the wall: "Snowpack
levels across much of Oregon are below normal levels, following
a year that was also the driest on record in Eugene-Springfield.
// "National Weather Service meteorologist Colby Neuman in
Portland said that the entire West Coast is dry. // "The U.S.
Drought Monitor, released Dec. 26, showed abnormally dry to drought
conditions across Oregon and abnormally dry conditions across much
of Washington. Drought conditions were shown in other Western states,
too. // "...Most Oregon counties are seeing snowpack levels
of less than 50 percent of average." In addition, the article
continues, some of the snow received earlier in the season has more
recently melted, due to warmer temperatures, diminishing the existing
snowpack. However, it is still January - so, where does this leave
us? "Neuman told the Register-Guard," the article goes
on, "there is time to rebound from the abnormally dry conditions
in the next few months. But if that doesn't happen, he said that
could create concerns for water supplies, plants and an early fire
season. // "He noted four recent years with low snowpack -
1981, 1990, 1996 and 2005. In 1981 and 2005, dry conditions persisted
through the winter, while heavy snowfall fell in the second half
[of the] winter seasons in 1990 and 1996." The article concludes:
"National Weather Service meteorologist Clinton Rockey of Portland
said the second half of winter and spring are tough to predict.
However, he said based on past weather patterns and ocean cycles,
he can estimate the summer will be warmer than usual."
"Medford
logs 2013 as its driest year since recordkeeping began,"
Wed., January 1, 2014, Mail Tribune, Page 4A, further reaffirmed
the above reports: "...2013 turned out to be the driest year
on record for Medford, Roseburg, Klamath Falls and the city of Mt.
Shasta, Calif." The final total rainfall amount for the year
for Medford was 8.99, not even half of the typical annual total
of 18.25 inches. Klamath Falls broke its previous recorded low also
set in 1959 by more than one inch; Roseburg surpassed its record
set in 1944 by about seven inches; and Mt. Shasta broke its record
from 1976 by more than four inches. The article also notes that,
according to the NWS, December, 2013, was the coldest December ever
recorded in Medford, with an average temperature of 31 degrees,
just breaking the previous record set in 1972.
"2013:
A look back" ("A glance at the top 13 stories
as voted by the Mail Tribune newsroom staff"), Tues., December
31, 2013, Page 1A, headline story, confirmed the Dec. 20th MT report:
Top story #2 states that "Medford experienced its driest calendar
year on record : 8.99 inches of rain recorded..." (of the average
annual total of 18.35 inches), which broke the previous record set
in 1959, since recording began in 1911. (The arson fires in Medford
ranked at top story #1, and the late- July dry lightning-caused
fires ("80 fires") in southwestern Oregon including the
five major fires that filled the Rogue Valley with unhealthy levels
of smoke for much of August ranked at top story #3.)
"Dry Run: Recent
storm aside, Medford well on its way to record-low precipitation,"
Mail Tribune, Fri. Dec. 20, 2013, Page 1A, headline story. Key points:
2013 is likely to be the driest year on record: Average annual rain
is 18.35 inches as measured by the NWS in Medford, but 2013's total
by Dec. 20th was only 8.97 inches, a new record low, originally
set in 1959, which had almost as low a total at 10.43 inches. "Most
Oregon municipalities are flirting with similar low-rainfall calendar
years, in part because a dry fall has been followed by a cold and
dry November and December that saw record lows in places such as
Eugene and Lakeview." According to Steve Pierce, a "Pacific
Northwest weather expert" interviewed for the article, the
lack of moisture has been caused by normal tropical ocean temperatures
that don't generate the La Nina or El Nino weather patterns that
higher or lower tropical ocean temperatures do. The result is that
"high-pressure systems instead have built along the Eastern
Pacific, shutting off the jet stream and forcing arctic air masses
that have left the region very cold and relatively dry." He
further notes that "This is the most significant arctic outbreak
since 1990." [That year is also remembered for its low early
winter snowpack levels and the hot, dangerously dry fire season
that followed.]
