30 July 2015
Private forest lands closed to public use
Ongoing drought conditions and hot weather are combining to raise the fire danger throughout most of the state. Temperatures exceeding 100 degrees are expected this weekend in many parts of western Oregon; sending the danger soaring.
Red Flag Warnings are flying in the Umpqua Basin and over much of Southern Oregon and a heat advisory is in effect for most of the rest of the state.
The only respite is expected to be along the thin coastal strip within a few miles of the Pacific Ocean.
Greg Wagenblast, a District Forester for the Oregon Department of Forestry said the “potential for fires to start and then grow rapidly will be high due to hot temperatures and low humidity”. A number of timber companies have closed their lands to public use due to the risk of human caused fires. Public lands are under restrictions as well.
Health and safety risks rise with the mercury
High temperatures can bring danger in a variety of ways. According to a recent study by the Oregon Health Authority, when the heat is extreme, drowning deaths can occur at nearly three times the regular average.
That’s because more people flock to the water to cool off.
Dawnell Marshall with the Douglas County Health Department says that’s not the only danger.
Heat cramps; heat stroke; and heat exhaustion can all come on suddenly. Marshall says often people don’t recognize the symptoms until they become extreme. She adds that children and seniors are at the greatest risk.
When the thermometer spikes, Marshall says it’s a good idea to follow some simple “common-sense” precautions. Stay inside if you can… or in the shade. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Caffeine, alcohol and sugary drinks can actually do more harm than good if you’re sweating a lot.
If you do go outdoors… wear light clothing and take it easy.
One final bit of advice… if you are hot and thirsty… so are your pets. Pay extra attention to them as well.
Detailed tsunami maps more available
Detailed maps showing areas along the coast that are at risk from tsunami inundation are now more available to the public. Megan Messmer chairs the regional government cooperative known by the acronym WE-LOG… the West Lane Emergency Operations Group… she says you can now find those maps on the City of Florence website.
Megan Messmer – “ci.florence.or.us. I’ve linked the Oregon Tsunami Clearinghouse website there, as well as posted both the Florence evacuations maps and the Dunes City evacuation maps.”
One of the main messages coming from We-Log is for residents to be prepared to get by on their own for a while.
Megan Messmer – “Food, water and any other supplies they need for both themselves as well as their pets in the event that we will be cut off for a little while. We recommend ten days to 14 days worth of supplies.”
Messmer, along with other members of We-Log will talk more about earthquake and tsunami preparedness on next week’s Our Town on Coast Radio.
DeFazio schedules recess town hall meetings
Democratic Fourth District Congressman Peter DeFazio will begin a “recess” swing through southwestern Oregon Monday when he holds a town hall meeting in Reedsport.
He will be at Reedsport City Hall from three to four pm Monday before heading south to the Coos History Museum and Maritime Collection from five to six that day.
He’ll continue a trip down the coast Tuesday, then head up the I-5 corridor Wednesday.
DeFazio will be in Linn and central Lane Counties three weeks later on the 24th and 25th.
Delays expected over Siuslaw River tonight
The Siuslaw River Bridge will be restricted to just one lane overnight Thursday and into Friday morning while crews inspect the structure.
Oregon Department of Transportation spokesman Rick Little says it’s a routine inspection. One that is done every “one to two years”. He added the inspections provide important records about the structure, plus maintain public safety and confidence.
ODOT crews will be using a large “snooper” crane allowing them to reach beneath the bridge deck, getting “close visual access” to structural components.
Flaggers will be in place at eight PM Thursday and remain there until six AM Friday. Drivers should be sure to allow an extra 20 minutes or so to cross the bridge.
Local drivers paying far less for gas than last year
The price for a gallon of regular gas in Florence remains at the highest point it has been all year; but drivers are paying on average 92-cents a gallon less than they did last year at this time.
Locally, the average cash price per gallon is $2.96. That’s 15-cents below the Oregon average price of $3.13 as measured by Triple-A.
But, it’s also 27-cents higher than the national average price.
Triple-A reports this week that prices across the country have been edging downward all month. They held steady in the Florence area since late June.
Local prices typically begin easing by Labor Day when local demand begins falling off as fewer visitors come to the area.
