This
page is a log of our online postings of the 2004 fire season as
it developed.
The
2004 Pre-Season: Will we or won't we have air tanker support
this year?
According
to recent national news, [federal] "officials cancelled $30
million in contracts for use of the large air tankers last month,
citing safety concerns after two planes broke up in midair in
2002, killing five people." To be put back into use, their
private operators have to establish that they are safe.
"However,
"[E]ven if the tankers are not restored, the Forest Service
and Bureau of Land Management have adequate resources to fight
fires this summer... The two agencies said Tuesday [June 1st]
they plan to add nearly 130 more aircraft to their 700-plane fleet
as soon as possible. Private companies will supply up to 48 smaller
air tankers, and 71 large and medium-sized helicopters to take
up the slack... the extra firefighting help will cost about $66
million."
(for further info,
see: "Feds vow to try to get tankers flying" - AP article,
pub. by the MT, p.6A, Thurs., June 3rd, 2004, and "The latest
in firefighting tools? How about a 747?" - AP article, pub.
by the MT, p.2B, Sat., May 22nd, 2004.)>
Check out the following
recent articles from the Mail Tribune's archives:
"Medford
air tanker approved" - April 14th, 2004
"Opinion
- Online Edition" - April 15th, 2005
"Firefighters
await tanker's fate" - May 11th, 2004
"Medford
air tanker availability unresolved" - May 12th, 2004
"Air
tanker gets nod for Medford" - May 14th, 2004
"Letters
to the Editor - Online Edition" - June 4th, 2004
"A
recent Associated Press article on May 24th
underscored the serious conditions we again face this summer:"
"
'Months ago, national fire managers predicted the 2004 wildfire
season would be a bad one in the West. Now, they're changing
their forecast: It's going to be worse... With unseasonably
warm temperatures in March and April, the potential loss of
heavy air tankers for safety reasons [see related articles
below] and a years-long drought continuing, Western states
and the federal government are facing the possibility of another
devastating fire season.
"
'Years of drought have left states across the West vulnerable
to extreme fire conditions. The greatest threat lies in the
Pacific Northwest, the northern Rockies of Idaho and Montana,
and the Southwest, including Southern California, where conditions
are the driest. In Washington, the state Department of Natural
Resources already has fought 70 small fires this year, up
from the usual 20, and forests are as dry as they typically
are in late July or early August. And snowpack in the Cascades
in Oregon has fallen to well below average...'
"
'A map provided by the National Interagency Fire Center shows
where there is above-normal potential for wildfires this season;
all of Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington, much of northern
Idaho, and western Montana is blanketed with this potential,
from the Cascade range eastward. The far-eastern strip of
northern California is also included. Paul Werth, of the Northwest
Interagency Coordination Center in Portland, is quoted as
saying, "It really is huge... There's really the potential
for a large number of huge fires - long-duration fires.'
"
'Some Oregon districts such as LaPine, which experienced a
21,000-acre fire last year which burned to the edge of town,
suspended all burning several weeks early this year, after
1,000-hour fuels, such as "6 to 8-inch logs and dead
growth," also ignited during spring brush burning. "Early
fires already are scorching Southern California, where fire
danger usually is highest in the fall... Wildfires early this
month [in May] blackened thousands of acres across Southern
California and destroyed 28 homes. The entire state of Arizona
and at least half of New Mexico are facing above-normal and
even critical fire danger," as well.'
"
'Fires in southern California and Nevada as of July 20th are
already severe, with thousands of acres affected, massive
emergency population evacuations, and numerous homes destroyed
by uncontrollable flames pushed by high winds.' "
"For
further up-to-date fire outlook information, see our Weather
& Fire Weather Links, News & Info page."
The
2004 fire season outlook:
"Because
of the earlier warm, dry spring, followed by just enough rain
to promote spring grass growth, which is now dry, coupled
with wide-spread extended drought conditions across the west,
the 2004 fire season is expected to be busier and potentially
more severe than most.
If
you have questions, call us at (541) 488-1768, or call the
ODF at (541) 664-3328. You can also view the notices published
by the Mail Tribune:"
On Friday,
June 4th, the 2004 fire season began in Jackson and Josephine
counties in southern Oregon. All open burning was prohibitedfrom
this date forward through the remainder of the 2004 fire season.
"The
restriction on open burning applies on all private,
county, state and BLM lands. Please observe this restriction
voluntarily. Any violations will be cited, and prosecuted
if necessary.
We will update this when this final restriction is lifted,
as well as posting a notice at the end of fire season.
The ODF cautions that we should continue to be cautious
while taking advantage of the lessening of restrictions,
since we are still in fire season at High fire danger.
We
ask that you continue to use caution and common sense with
regard to the fire potential of any of your activities.
Always
call in any suspicious smoke, as well as all known fires:
Rapid response is crucial.
Remember
that rain does not ALWAYS change the fire danger - it only
lessens it temporarily. Please observe the posted levels,
regardless of rain.
If
you have any questions about the open burning restriction
or other potential fire risk activities, please call
us at (541) 488-1768. We are here to assist you.
For
non-local general information, call the ODF at (541)
664-3328."
Thank you for your co-operation and participation in rural fire prevention!
|
"Reminder:
Under SB 360, if someone ignores any rule regarding
fire danger restrictions and causes a wildfire, that
person could be billed for all firefighting costs under
state law.
Oregon
State law also says parents can be held financially responsible
for fires started by their children.
Fire Tip Reminders:
Keep a shovel or other fire tools available during the fire season,
as a general precaution, in the event of sparks from vehicles,
barbeques, or other sources.
Be alert during and after lightning storms for smoke or fires.
Lightning
strikes can cause fires in slow-burning, heavier fuels or subsurface
forest floor duff that sometimes remain unseen for several days
before they build into visible fires.
This
can be just as true when lightning hits with rain, as without
rain, depending on the type of fuel involved.
Rain
does not remove fire danger: it only lessens it temporarily
In
high heat, previously dry light "flash" fuels, (i.e.,
grasses, surface duff and shrubbery) can become completely dry
and flammable again within a day or two."
ODF's
public announcement, "Outdoor
fire restrictions begin Monday" was published in the
(Medford) Mail Tribune on Sun., July 18, 2004.
The
July 24th, 2004, Hilt Community Center Fire
On the evening of Saturday,
July 24th, the historic Hilt Community Center was struck by lightning
during the storm that hit our area. Despite rapid initial attack
and interagency assistance, the structure could not be saved,
and burned to the ground.
Tom Shorey and his
sons, who lived in a part of the building, were not home at the
time of the fire, but their belongings were a total loss. Nearby
neighbor Christina Lehman set up a voluntary assistance fund (called
The Tom Shorey Fund) to help them through their loss. Anyone wishing
to contribute may do so at any Bank of America branch.
The Siskiyou Daily
News in Yreka refered to the structure as, "One of the last
remaining historical structures in the town of Hilt." The
Ashland Daily Tidings stated that, "Years of memories now
lay in a charred mess of metal and wood as Hilt residents, past
and present, mourn the loss of the Hilt Community Center. // The
center burned to the ground about 7 p.m. Saturday..."
The Siskiyou Daily
News and the Ashland Daily Tidings carried several full reports
of this event, and some local Hilt residents have offered their
comments. Steve Meads, one of the proprietors of the Stateline
Service store in Hilt, also took photos.
A page dedicated
to the Hilt
Community Center Fire event has local reports, links
to news reports, and some photos (just added). (Please allow a
few extra minutes if necessary for this page to load, because
of the 23 photos presented on it.)
Other
local papers carried reports of the many regional lightning
fires of July 24th:
Saturday's
storm ignites weekend's worth of fires
(from the The Mail Tribune - Medford - Tuesday, July 27th, 2004)
"...Oregon
crews knocked out seven fires Sunday that Saturday’s storm
ignited. The largest of those burned three-quarters of an acre
near Pilot Rock..."
Storm
moves in, and quickly out (from
the Mail Tribune - Medford - Sun. July 25th,
2004)
300
flee Iron Gate fire
(from the Siskiyou Daily News - Yreka, CA - Mon. July 26, 2004)
IRON GATE DAM - Back-to-back
lightning storms struck northern Siskiyou County over the weekend,
causing a number of wildland fires in the area, including a major
fire near a residential area surrounding Iron Gate Reservoir.
"Most of them were taken care of that night... However,..."
"...CDF officials
say eight new fires were caused by a lightning storm that returned
to the area Sunday evening, all limited to 25 acres or less with
the largest occurring off of Highway A-12 in the area of Mount
Shasta Vista. Fire crews were still working that fire this morning
and expect total containment by the end of the day. // Lightning
strikes hit a number of other locations throughout the Shasta
Valley over the weekend including Hilt, Greenhorn
and Humbug Ridge near Yreka, Gregory Mountain near Montague and
the Iron Gate area. Firefighters responded to 15 fires Saturday
night and eight new fires on Sunday, all as a result of lightning."
The area's widespread smoke during the last week of July
was caused by a fire to the north, in central Oregon:
Valley
haze coming from distant fire
(reported in the Ashland Daily Tidings, Fri. July 30th, 2004):
"The haze of smoke
which has hovered in the Rogue Valley since Thursday is coming
from the 10,500 acre Log Springs Fire in Central Oregon, said
Dennis Turco, fire prevention officer for the Oregon Department
of Forestry..."
Valley smoke from Central Oregon fire
(reported in the Mail Tribune, Fri. July 30th, 2004):
"...The
smoke pouring into the Rogue and Bear Creek valleys Thursday morning
[July 29th] was from the 10,500-acre Log Springs fire in Central
Oregon, said Dennis Turco, local fire safety officer for the Oregon
Department of Forestry. The drift smoke prompted numerous calls
to his office from local residents concerned a large wildfire
was burning nearby... The smoke is expected to diminish as the
fire is controlled and the prevailing winds dissipate it. For
daily wildfire smoke forecasts and updates, visit www.odf.state.or.us/DIVISIONS/protection/fire_protection/daily/wfsmoke.asp
And another storm on Monday August 2nd:
Hail,
rain pound valley
(from the Mail Tribune - Medford - Mon., Aug 2nd, 2004)
Under
the weather
"Heavy rain, hail and thunderstorms struck the region on
Monday afternoon, causing flooding in Phoenix and Ashland... About
eight to 10 fires were caused by lightning in Jackson County,
including four to five in the Ashland area... About 175 of the
3,400 lightning downstrikes in Oregon were detected in Jackson
County, Turco said. The bolts came while ODF announced it would
enact extreme fire-precaution restrictions beginning Wednesday
in Jackson and Josephine counties..."
(from the Daily Tidings
- Ashland - Tues., August 3rd, 2004)
Thunderstorm
apparently left few fires
(from the Mail Tribune - Medford - Wed., Aug. 4th, 2004)
Other
significant news:
Firefighters
receive grant
"Medford and Ashland firefighters will soon be able
to respond to fires, medical calls and other emergencies faster
than ever, thanks to a $237,000 federal grant."
(reported in the Mail Tribune - Medford - Wed.,
August 4th, 2004)
We
went to '"Extreme" Fire Danger on Wed., August 4th.
On that date, the Oregon Dept. of Forestry faxed us the following
notice of fire restrictions:
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACTS:
ODF: Dan Thorpe (541) 664-3328 & Rick Dryer (541) 474-3152
BLM: Tom Murphy (541) 618-2236
USFS: Mary Marrs (541) 858-2211
EXTREME
FIRE DANGER - RESTRICTIONS INCREASED
Central
Point, OR: Even with cooler temperatures forecast, fire
danger in Southwest Oregon is now extreme. In an effort to prevent
human-caused wildfires under these conditions, wildland fire agencies
are tightening restrictions on activities conducted by the general
public, and industrial forest workers. These restrictions will
be effective on National Forest lands and on the Rogue River -
Siskiyou National Forest protected by the USDA Forest Service,
and on state, county, private, and Bureau of Land Management lands
in Jackson and Josephine Counties protected by the Oregon Department
of Forestry. All restrictions listed will be effective Wednesday,
August 4, 2004.
RESTRICTIONS ON OREGON
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY PROTECTED LANDS:
FOR THE GENERAL
PUBLIC - The following activities will be completely prohibited:
-
Outdoor burning
of any kind
-
-
Non-agricultural
mowing of dry grass
-
Campfires,
except in improved campgrounds such as state and county
parks
-
Smoking in
areas of flammable vegetation
-
Vehicle use
in areas of flammable vegetation, except on improved
roads free of flammable vegetation
-
Cutting,
grinding, and welding of metal
-
-
Use of power
driven machinery such as backhoes, string trimmers,
chippers, etc.
Fire restrictions were lessened on August 24th, 2004,
as follows:
Commercial
restrictions: the Industrial Fire Precaution
Level is now at Level 2.
Public
restrictions:
- Non-commercial
chain saw use is prohibited between 1:00 and 8:00 p.m.
- Non-agricultural
mowing of dry grass is prohibited between 1:00 and 8:00
p.m.
- Non-agricultural,
non-commercial use of power-driven machinery such as backhoes
and trenchers, in areas of flammable vegetation is prohibited
between 1:00 and 8:00 p.m.
- Cutting,
welding or grinding of metal in areas of flammable vegetation
is prohibited.
- Use
of motorized vehicles off of improved roads is prohibited.
- All
outdoor burning is prohibited.
- Smoking
is prohibited in wildland areas, except in enclosed vehicles
while on improved roads, free of flammable vegetation.
- Campfires
are allowed only in designated areas such as county and
state parks.
- Fireworks
are prohibited in areas of flammable vegetation such as
dry grass, brush, and other forested areas, and on all
federal lands.
These
changes are in response to the cooler weather and rains
of recent weeks. The ODF cautions that the fire danger
may rise back to Extreme again if hotter, dryer weather
returns, and that these changes may only be temporary.
We
are reminded to continue to be cautious while taking
advantage of the lessening of restrictions, since we
are still in fire season at High fire danger, larger
forest fuels remain dry inside, and overall fuel load
amounts have not diminished.
Restrictions
apply on all private, county, state and BLM lands. Please
observe these restrictions voluntarily. Any violations
will be cited, and prosecuted if necessary.
For additional commentary by ODF see "Wet
weather dampens fire danger
But prevention officer says return of hot days will
quickly dry the wildlands," published Tues.,
Aug. 24, 2004, in the Mail Tribune
(Medford), by Paul Fattig.
NOTE:
These changes, as above, are in response to the cooler
weather, which has been unseasonally and unpredictably
cooler over the past week.
Just
days before the level was changed, we sent postcards
to our district members notifying them of activity restrictions
under Extreme fire danger conditions, which were expected
to continue for the remainder of the fire season.
We
apologize for the contradictory restriction notice,
and suggest that if you received one, you retain it
for reference in the event that we return to Extreme
conditions.
The
fact that fire danger was still with us was underscored just before
this by another fire in Hilt on Monday afternoon, September
6th. The Mail Tribune's report on September 7th read:
Roadside
wildfire doused in Hilt
HILT,
Calif. - "Investigators believe a carelessly tossed
cigarette started a fire that burned about 10 acres Monday
afternoon.
"The
fire started just off Hilt Road around 4:15 p.m., said Monty
Messenger, a fire captain and investigator with the California
Department of Forestry.
"Crews
from the California and Oregon departments of forestry,
U.S. Forest Service and fire departments in Hilt, Colestin,
Hornbrook and Montague battled the blaze. Hand crews, a
helicopter and a dozer worked to contain the fire, Messenger
said. Two homes in Hilt were threatened by the flames, but
firefighters corralled the blaze before it damaged any buildings,
he said. The fire was under control by 6 p.m.
"The
fire remains under investigation. Messenger reminds people
to be careful outdoors as fire season hasn't ended yet."
|
A front-page article in the Medford Mail Tribune on Monday, Sept.
20th, 2004, stated that "Slow
Oregon fire season is over."
However,
we confirmed with Dennis Turco of the ODF that this was a misprint,
and that the article (not by local reporters but written by the
AP) applied to areas in the northern part of the state and elsewhere,
but not to our own.
The
Mail Tribune on Tuesday, September 21st, 2004, ran another front-page
article correcting the previous article: " Local wildfire season persists: Warmer days ahead keep the official
fire danger at 'High' in Southern Oregon."
The
ODF's news release stated that, "Fire season may have ended
in some parts of Oregon, but it's still in effect in Jackson and
Josephine Counties. Some local areas received little rainfall,
the heavy vegetation is still dry, and warm, dry, & windy
conditions are expected by the weekend. Although fire danger is
"High," ODF officials are easing some restrictions on
state, county, private and BLM lands..."
The ODF's news release of Mon. 20 Sept. follows:
9/20/04
FIRE PREVENTION NEWS - For Immediate Release:
CONTACTS: Dan Thorpe / Dennis Turco (541) 664-3328
FIRE SEASON STILL IN EFFECT IN SOUTHWEST OREGON
Central Point, OR: Fire season may have ended in some parts of Oregon, but it's still in effect in Jackson and Josephine Counties. Some local areas received little rainfall, the heavy vegetation is still dry, and warm, dry, & windy conditions are expected by the weekend. Although fire danger is "High", ODF officials are easing some restrictions on state, county, private and BLM lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Jackson and Josephine Counties:
The following activities are still prohibited at all times:
• All outdoor burning.
• Campfires, except in designated locations, such as county and state parks.
• Fireworks in areas of flammable vegetation such as dry grass, brush, and other forested areas, and on all federal lands.
• Use of vehicles off of improved roads.
• Smoking in wildland areas except in enclosed vehicles while on improved roads, free of flammable vegetation.
The following activities, previously prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., are now allowed all day:
• Public chain saw use.
• Non-agricultural mowing of dry grass.
• Non-agricultural, non-commercial use of power driven machinery such as backhoes, rototillers, and trenchers, in areas of flammable vegetation.
• Cutting, welding, and grinding of metal in areas of flammable vegetation.
On the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River between Grave Creek and Marial-Campfires and smoking will be permitted on sand and gravel bars between the river and the high water mark in areas naturally free of flammable vegetation. Smoking will also be permitted in boats and rafts while on the river. Campfires must be in fire pans or fire blankets. Use of fireworks of any kind is prohibited year-round.
Industrial Forest Operations - An Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1 is now in effect. Under the IFPL 1, commercial operators on forested lands are required to have fire equipment on site, and provide a watchman service.
For more information, contact your local Oregon Department of Forestry office.
###
As
of Sunday, October 10th, 2004:
WE ARE STILL IN FIRE SEASON.
However, because of recent rain, the posted
Fire Danger Level has just been lowered to "MODERATE."
As of late Saturday, October 9th (yesterday), we received
word from ODF that the fire level has been lowered to
Moderate and that all of the fire
danger restrictions, with the exception of a continued
ban on open burning, are now lifted.
We are in close contact with ODF and will continue to keep
our website visitors updated regarding open burning as
the fire season winds down.
The following changes in fire danger restrictions are now in effect:
Commercial restrictions: the Industrial Fire Precaution Level remains at Level 1.
Under the IFPL 1, commercial operators on forested lands are
required to have fire equipment on site, and provide a watchman service.
Public restrictions:
Open burning remains completely prohibited.
All activities previously prohibited (listed below) are
now fully permitted:
Non-commercial chain saw use
Non-agricultural mowing of dry grass
Non-agricultural, non-commercial use of power-driven machinery such as backhoes,
trenchers, rototillers, etc.
Cutting, welding or grinding of metal
Use of motorized vehicles off of improved roads
All outdoor burning
Smoking in wildland areas, except in enclosed vehicles while on
improved roads, free of flammable vegetation.
Campfires, except in designated areas such as county and state parks.
Fireworks in areas of flammable vegetation such as dry grass, brush,
and other forested areas, and on all federal lands.
The 2004 Fire Season Ends
At
10:00 A.M. on Monday, October 18th, the Oregon Dept. of Forestry
declared the end of fire season, due to the recent rains and cooler
temperatures.
Mt. Ashland received a dusting of snow, with about a half-inch
of rain regionally at lower elevations, by the 18th. (See "Storm ends fire season," Mail Tribune, Tues. Oct. 19th.)
All previous fire danger restrictions were lifted for the duration
of the wet season.
While
the Hilt-Colestin-Mt.Ashland area experienced several fire incidents
this past season, including the Hilt
Community Center Fire, the 2004 fire season was regionally
lighter, with a lesser number of lightning fires and less consequent
damage. It was also shorter, at 137 days; the average is 143 days.
The
ODF attributes the lower impact of the fire season to the combination
of factors, saying that "the reduced number of fires, fast
action by firefighters, great assistance from our cooperators
and the timber industry and legislative funding to base an air
tanker at Medford played key roles in averting disaster."
Many
thanks to everyone in our community for co-operating with and
participating in fire safety and rural prevention during this
past fire season.
And
a special thanks to all of our volunteer firefighters and first
responders for doing their best to keep our district safe from
fire.
Home
| Top
|