See it. Hear it. Feel it.
The “Return from the Burn” event at the Tillamook Forest Center on Saturday, August 20, and Sunday, August 21, commemorates the recovery – as a result of the largest reforestation effort ever undertaken – of the Tillamook State Forest from a series of catastrophic wildfires that began in 1933.
Throughout the upcoming weekend, there will be special guests and activities to help tell the story of the forest, during and before the fires. The celebration includes a children’s firefighter relay, crafts, a vintage 1930 Ford Model AA pumper truck, and a current wildland fire engine and crew, as well as displays on fire-resistant native plants, creating defensible space for homes in the forest, and historical information relating to the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Centennial anniversary. A bar-b-cue lunch will be available for purchase on both days and there will even be special appearances by Smokey Bear! You can view the full schedule of events on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s website at www.oregon.gov/ODF.
The Tillamook Forest Center offers visitors the opportunity to explore the Tillamook State Forest, and to learn about its history and its many values in our lives. Outside, there are trails, a suspension bridge across the Wilson River, and a 40-foot tall fire lookout tower that offers a unique view of the area and the surrounding forest canopy. The state forest is managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry to produce timber revenue for counties, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitat.
Earlier in April, the Tillamook Forest Center celebrated its fifth full year of operation. The Center’s anniversary comes during the Oregon Department of Forestry’s 100th year, which the agency is celebrating throughout 2011 with a variety of displays, exhibits, and activities that focus on the agency’s Centennial and history.
Admission to the Tillamook Forest Center is free, as are most of the Center’s programs and events. Donations to the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust, which go to support Center operations, are welcome.
The Tillamook Forest Center is located near Milepost 22 on Highway 6 between Forest Grove and Tillamook. It is currently open daily, through Labor Day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information about the Tillamook Forest Center, including programs and special events, is available by going to its website: http://www.tillamookforestcenter.org/ or by calling the Center, toll-free, at 1-866-930-4646.
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