Investigators narrow down fire cause

Coast Radio News
Local News
17 June 2015                                 
Firefighters work to control a fire at Pacific Pines RV Storage that destroyed the contents of eight units.
Firefighters work to control a fire at Pacific Pines RV Storage that destroyed the contents of eight units.

Investigators zero in on fire cause

Investigators have narrowed down just where yesterday’s fire that heavily damaged an RV storage facility in Florence started. But, they are still trying to determine the cause.

Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue Fire Marshall Sean Barrett says the damage is estimated at least $1-million, and could twice that.

The fire source was tracked down to either inside or beneath a contractor’s work van that was parked inside one of the units.

Eight of the 36-units in the 30-thousand square foot Pacific Pines RV Storage facility were gutted. Contents in the other 28 units sustained smoke, heat and water damage. Total losses included a large motor home, a fully restored classic Mustang, and hundreds of collectible dolls.

Firefighters were able to knock down the main part of the blaze in less than 30 minutes following the 6:45 AM alarm. Then spent several more hours combing through the building during the day Tuesday to make sure the fire was completely extinguished.

Additional engine crews from North Bend and Veneta were called in to stand by during the work.

Ocean algae bloom causes concern

Federal biologists are continuing to study an extensive algae bloom that has prompted the closure of Dungeness crab fishing in Washington State and other shellfish harvesting in Oregon and California.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the bloom involves some of the highest concentrations of the natural toxic domoic acid ever observed in some parts of the coast.

The agency says it began earlier this year and has grown into the largest and most severe in more than a decade. The bloom stretches from off the Central California coast into Washington and off British Columbia… possibly extending as far as Alaskan waters.

In early June, high toxin levels prompted closure of the Dungeness crab fishery off the southern coast of Washington State and razor clamming and mussel gathering in Oregon.

A research vessel containing a team of scientists set out from Newport earlier this week to study the algae bloom.

ODOT drops Highway 36 vegetation pilot project

A pilot project that attempted to control roadside vegetation on an eight mile stretch of Highway 36 east of Triangle Lake without the use of herbicides has been discontinued. The Oregon Department of Transportation started the project in response to concerns of nearby residents.

But, ODOT experienced a “substantial increase” in maintenance costs and noxious weed counts.

By July 1st maintenance crews along that stretch of 36 will resume using the “Integrated Vegetation Management” program that combines herbicide use, mechanical, cultural, and biological methods of controlling roadside vegetation.

The department will continue to work with roadside property owners who wish to keep the highway right-of-way along their property herbicide free.

Gas prices take unexpected increase

The average cash price for a gallon of regular gasoline increased four cents locally this week. It’s now at $2.88. Oregon’s statewide average, as measured by Triple-A, went up by the same amount, but it’s 19-cents higher than the local average at $3.07.

The national average price: $3.80 a gallon.

Michael Green, Triple-A Public Relations, said the price hike this week was unexpected. Experts believed that gas prices were already at the seasonal high. But a decline in gasoline stocks over the past week because of high demand and persistent refinery problems has caused the jump.

Dean Creek elk forage improvement

About 100 acres of pasture land east of Reedsport will go up in smoke today and tomorrow.

Fire crews with the Bureau of Land Management put the torch to much of the grazing area around the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area earlier today. It is billed as a way of improving forage for the large herd of elk that make their home there.

Efforts were made to burn so that smoke did not hamper vision along highway 38. Bill Elam, a fire management officer with the BLM said the viewing area, interpretive kiosk and restrooms will remain open during the burning. But, he added, traffic may be temporarily delayed or detoured in the area because of fire equipment and personnel.

About 100 Roosevelt Elk call the Dean Creek preserve home.