May 23, 2011
Philomath, OR — Because of its efforts to reduce the vulnerability of homes and landscapes to wildfire, Pioneer Village has earned Firewise Communities/USA® recognition from the National Firewise Communities Program.
“Firewise Communities/USA recognition acknowledges the hard work the residents of Pioneer Village have already done and provides direction and support as we set our course for the future,” said Pioneer Village Homeowners Association Board President Jack Rundel.
Pioneer Village worked with Blake McKinley, Community Wildfire Forester with the Oregon Department of Forestry, to conduct a wildfire hazard assessment and develop a plan to address safety concerns. Residents then worked together to implement the plan.
”Pioneer Village should be commended for taking responsibility to address wildfire safety concerns and helping to make their community more survivable when a wildfire occurs,” said McKinley. “Pioneer Village will be an example to other high-risk communities in the wildland urban interface where houses meet the forest.”
Philomath Fire & Rescue Chief Tom Phelps and Benton County were both contributors to the Firewise effort.
Rundel said Pioneer Village has benefited greatly from local partnerships including Philomath Fire and Rescue, Benton County Community Development and the Department of Forestry.
“The Firewise recognition now allows us to tap into resources and connect with peer communities on a regional and national level,” he noted.
Pioneer Village is the ninth community in Oregon to be recognized as Firewise Communities/USA, and the first in ODF’s West Oregon District, which includes Benton, Polk, and Lincoln Counties. This community joins many others nationwide that have been recognized since the program’s inception in 2002.
To receive Firewise Communities/USA recognition, Pioneer Village met a rigorous set of requirements. The community completed the following activities:
• Completed a local Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
• Conducted road right-of-way clearing projects to open up and widen the available road widths within the community.
• Created and distributed surveys to determine the Wildfire Hazard Rating and action items for the community.
• Worked with local fire and forestry agencies to remove flammable vegetation from around their homes and other neighborhood structures.
• Conducted numerous community meetings and informational events to explain and educate the community about the Firewise Communities plan and distribute Firewise information.
“Achieving Firewise recognition is not a quick or easy process. Pioneer Village has done an outstanding job of creating a local Firewise Task Force and implementing Firewise principles,” said Michele Steinberg, support manager of the Firewise Communities program. “By preparing homes, structures, and landscapes before a wildfire occurs, Pioneer Village has dramatically increased the chance that homes and structures will be protected when a wildfire occurs.”
Working through the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), the Oregon Department of Forestry supports the Firewise Communities/USA recognition effort. The program is a nationwide initiative that recognizes communities for taking action to protect people and properties from the risk of fire in the wildland/urban interface. This program is of special interest to small communities and neighborhood associations that are willing to reduce vulnerability to wildfire by adopting and implementing programs tailored to their needs. The communities create the programs themselves with cooperative assistance from state forestry agencies and local fire staff.
Fire-prone communities can work with local professionals to earn Firewise Communities/USA status by meeting the following criteria:
• Enlist a wildland/urban interface specialist to complete a community assessment and create a plan that identifies agreed-upon achievable solutions to be implemented by the community.
• Sponsor a local Firewise Task Force Committee, Commission or Department, which maintains the Firewise Communities/USA program and tracks its progress or status.
• Observe a Firewise Communities/USA Day annually, dedicated to a local Firewise project.
• Invest a minimum of $2 per capita annually in local Firewise projects. (Work by municipal employees or volunteers using municipal and other equipment can be included, as can state/federal grants dedicated to that purpose.)
• Submit an annual report to Firewise Communities/USA that documents continuing compliance with the program.
Communities interested in earning recognition may visit www.firewise.org/usa for more information.
Firewise Communities/USA® Recognition Program is part of the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169. For more information visit http://www.firewise.org/ .
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Kristin Babbs
Oregon Firewise State Liaison – 503-945-7444
kbabbs@odf.state.or.us
May 11, 2011
Wildfire experts have forecast a late start to the fire season of possibly three weeks to a month. But whenever fire activity picks up, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will be ready. ODF enters the season with all of the moving parts in place: a full complement of fire engines, fire hand crews, helicopters and heavy air tankers, as well as three specially trained teams on call to manage large wildfires.
Oregon has more than 30 million acres of forest. Wildland fire protection across such an expanse is too big of a challenge for a single agency or department to take on alone.
While the Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, rural fire departments and other state, local and federal fire agencies have their respective jurisdictions, cooperation is second nature. A longstanding “closest-forces” agreement provides for rapid initial attack on new fires by whichever agency’s firefighting resources can get there the fastest. Billings and reimbursements are sorted out later.
Urban sprawl into forested areas has also brought structural fire departments into the mix. As in years past, ODF’s wildland fire incident management teams held their annual pre-season training conference this spring in conjunction with the State Fire Marshal’s structural teams. Since they are likely to meet on wildfires that threaten communities, the teams train together to attain seamless coordination in the field.
October 25, 2010
On Saturday, Oct. 23, the Southwest Oregon District terminated fire season, and the next day the Northeast Oregon District followed suit, marking the end of the 2010 season statewide. This was a moderate year for wildfire. Only 680 fires were recorded on the 15.8 million acres protected by the Oregon Dept. of Forestry, burning just 5,771 acres. These figures are significantly below the 10-year average of 1,059 fires burning 26,037 acres.
Thanks for following the blog this season. Did you find it helpful? Do you have suggestions to improve it? We’d appreciate your comments. Send to: rnichols@odf.state.or.us.
October 1, 2010
The Oregon Garden Foundation is excited to announce a partnership to develop the first full-scale fire prevention and safety house in the nation. Teaming with Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Moonstone Garden Management, Inc., and Oregon State University (OSU), the foundation will use grant funds and donations to remodel a home located on The Oregon Garden property in Silverton into one that showcases fire-resistant landscaping and building construction on the outside and home fire prevention and safety on the inside.
More information is available on the ODF website:
http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/newsroom/newsreleases/2010/NR1053.shtml
October 1, 2010
The Bureau of Land Management plans to burn fuel reduction debris in three areas today. All three areas are in the Quartz Creek Road region, approximately 12 miles northwest of Grants Pass in Josephine County.
Brian Ballou
Oregon Department of Forestry / SW Oregon District
October 1, 2010
No new fires 10 acres in size or larger on ODF-protected lands were reported to the Salem Coordination Center during the past 24 hours.
Kevin Weeks / Oregon Department of Forestry, Salem
September 30, 2010
No new fires 10 acres in size or larger on ODF-protected lands were reported to the Salem Coordination Center during the past 24 hours.
Kevin Weeks / Oregon Department of Forestry, Salem
September 29, 2010
Source: Ochoco National Forest, Prineville
Ochoco National Forest Fall Prescribed Burns
Fuels & fire suppression specialists are gearing up for the fall prescribed burning season on the Ochoco National Forest. A total of approximately 6,000 acres are tentatively planned for under burning treatments in an effort to enhance forest health and reduce hazardous fuels.
Burn projects are planned in Mill Creek (2,000 acres), Marks Creek (2,000 acres), the Maury Mountains (1,000 acres) and national forest administered lands south of Big Summit Prairie (1,000 acres). Nearby property owners will be notified prior to burn projects and if forest roads are impacted by smoke, signs and flaggers will be posted as needed.
Projects will occur intermittently during the fall as weather conditions permit until the snow flies.
For additional information, contact Bryan Scholz at (541) 416-6500
September 29, 2010
No new fires 10 acres in size or larger on ODF-protected lands were reported to the Salem Coordination Center during the past 24 hours.
Kevin Weeks / Oregon Department of Forestry, Salem
September 29, 2010
Two Prescribed Burns on BLM Land Begin Today
Medford,OR-The Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management will conduct two prescribed burns to consume hazardous fuels today:
1. Approximately 100 acres will be burned along the Rogue River between Matson Park and Robertson Bridge. There will be one 20 person crew and four engines on scene. Smoke will be visible from Grants Pass and places around the Rogue Valley.
After today’s burn, approximately 180 acres will be treated by an underburn in the same area, possibly through Saturday. The public should use caution when in the area due to possible reduced visibility from smoke and the presence of fire vehicles.
Ignitions will start today at 10:00 and should stop by mid-afternoon. Smoke should begin to dissipate by late afternoon. A similar pattern should be in place for the rest of the week until all 280 acres are completed.
2.Another 70 acres of hazardous fuels near the north shore of Lost Creek Lake will also be burned today. Ignitions will start around 10:00 and smoke will be visible in the area Boaters on the lake and motorists between Shady Cove and Prospect will likely see smoke in the afternoon. The burn will be staffed by a 20 person crew, three engines, and two water tenders.
For more information, please call the Prescribed Fire Information Line at 1-800-267-3126 or 541-618-2354.
Information is also available on the Web at:
http://www.blm.gov/or/resources/fire/prescribedburns/index.php.
Brian Ballou
Oregon Department of Forestry, SW Oregon District
September 29, 2010
ODF Contact: Lena Tucker, 541-726-3588
The shorter days and cooler nights coincide with what the calendar tells us: fall has arrived in Oregon. The Linn County Fire Defense Board will end the county-wide burning ban on Oct. 1 – But wait, there’s more. Due to lingering wildfire danger, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is requiring residents who live within the ODF fire protection district and plan to burn backyard debris to obtain a burn permit from the state agency.
“While we were hoping to be done with fire season by now, our weather has warmed up and it’s slowly drying out again,” said ODF’s Lena Tucker. “No rain is in sight for our area.”
Even though conditions have moderated from the high fire danger of only a few weeks ago, the South Cascade District forester cautioned that the combination of a sunny, warm day and gusty winds could cause a backyard burn to escape into a wildfire.
County residents planning to burn yard debris should contact ODF’s South Cascade District Sweet Home office to obtain a free burn permit. It is located at 4690 Highway 20 in Sweet Home, ph. 541-367-6108. Linn County residents may also call the Linn County Burn Message line at 541-451-1904.
The ODF South Cascade District encompasses forestlands in eastern Linn County and the eastern portion of Lane County.
September 28, 2010
No new fires 10 acres in size or larger on ODF-protected lands were reported to the Salem Coordination Center during the past 24 hours.
Kevin Weeks / Oregon Department of Forestry – Salem
September 28, 2010
The Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management will conduct burns in two areas today.
1. Approximately 25 acres of hazardous fuels near the town of Rogue River. Ignitions will start around noon and smoke will be visible from a number of places around the valley, including Interstate 5, but should diminish significantly by late afternoon. The area is about 5 miles NNW of Rogue River on the Right Fork of Fielder Creek. The burn will be staffed by a 20 person crew and two engines. This is in the same area where burning took place on Sunday and Monday.
2. About 100 acres of hazardous fuels near the north shore of Lost Creek Lake. Ignitions will start around 11:00 a.m. and smoke will be visible in the area. Boaters on the lake and motorists between Shady Cove and Prospect will likely see smoke in the afternoon. The burn will be staffed by a 20 person crew, two engines, and two water tenders.
For more information, please call the Prescribed Fire Information Line at 1-800-267-3126 or 541-618-2354.
September 27, 2010
A prescribed burn is scheduled to take place today 4 miles northwest of Rogue River on Bureau of Land Management lands. A 40-acre area will be ignited.
Brian Ballou
Oregon Department of Forestry. SW Oregon District
September 14, 2010
The Blackwell Fire remains at 315 acres and is 25 percent contained. Night shift crews report that good progress was made on mop-up. No slopovers or flare-ups occurred.
Today, 125 firefighters will continue mopping up. Of particular concern is a steep, partially burned area on the north flank of the fire. Numerous smokes are scattered among unburned islands of fuel. Also, crews will continue patrolling and mopping up the slopes below the radio antenna site on top of Blackwell Hill, located in the southeast corner of the fire.
Occasional small columns of smoke will likely rise from the interior of the Blackwell Fire today. In most cases these burn themselves out after a short period of time. If necessary, a helicopter will be used to drop (large) buckets of water onto the flare-ups.
Travelers on the Blackwell Hill Rd. are asked to drive with caution as fire-related traffic will be heavy today.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Brian Ballou
Oregon Department of Forestry, SW Oregon District
September 14, 2010
Firefighters on the Blackwell Fire, located 1 mile east of Gold Hill and 1 mile north of Interstate 5, made good progress today and completed a fireline around the burned area. The fire is now 20 percent contained and its size is 315 acres.
Crews established hoselays in several sectors and focused on extinguishing burning material within 100 feet of the fireline. Helicopters were used during the afternoon to make water drops on isolated fires within the burned area.
All evacuation advisories were lifted today, and roadblocks on Blackwell Hill Road were removed at 8:00 p.m. tonight.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Brian Ballou
Oregon Department of Forestry, SW Oregon District
September 13, 2010
Twelve fire crews working throughout Monday have stopped the advance of the Blackwell fire near Gold Hill at an estimated 315 acres in size.
Crews completely established a fire line and contain the fire Monday afternoon. Firefighters will continue to work on spot fires within the perimeter and mop-up of fire zones.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry / Salem
September 13, 2010
3:00pm Monday September 13
About 200 firefighters have worked throughout Monday on the Blackwell fire burning about one mile east of Gold Hill and one mile north of Interstate 5 in Jackson County. The fire broke out just before 4:00 Sunday afternoon. One structure burned Sunday near the point of the fire’s origin.
The fire remains active Monday, but crews have established a line around 100 percent of the fire, which is estimated at about 300 acres. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Keeping firefighters safe is a key mission of fire incident management. A safety hazard unique to this fire is there are an unknown number of abandoned mine shafts in the vicinity of Gold Hill from when Jackson County had significant gold and mineral mining occurring; Fire crews have maintained situational awareness in looking for shaft hazards and, when those mine shafts are detected, marking shaft locations for the safety of the next shift’s personnel. No worksite safety incidents related to these shaft hazards have been reported.
Twelve wildland engines (including a mix of 7 ODF engines and additional contractor engines) and nine crews (about 200 firefighters) continue work on controlling the fire. Homes and other structures in the fire area received protection from firefighters and engines mobilized as part of a structural fire protection task force, composed of personnel and equipment from fire districts in Jackson and Josephine counties.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry / Salem
September 13, 2010
The Blackwell Hill Fire broke out just before 4:00 p.m. and quickly burned across an expanse of grass, brush and oak. One structure burned near the point of origin. The fire continued in an easterly direction onto the heavily forested slopes of Blackwell Hill. Three helicopters dropped water and two airtankers delivered retardant onto the fire front until nightfall.
The fire area is approximately 1 mile east of Gold Hill and 1 mile north of Interstate 5.
Homes and other structures in the fire area received protection from firefighters and engines mobilized as part of a structural fire protection task force, composed of personnel and equipment from fire districts in Jackson and Josephine counties.
Wildland fire suppression resources included 7 ODF engines, 4 contractor engines and 6 bulldozers. Additional crews were ordered to assist with fireline construction operations, which will continue through the night.
Blackwell Hill Rd. is open to local residents and fire traffic only. Roadblocks staffed by Jackson County Sheriff Search and Rescue personnel are in place at Kirtland Rd., Gold Ray Rd., Merita Terrace and Foley Rd. An evacuation center has been set up at the Community Bible Church, 500 N. Tenth St., Central Point.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Brian Ballou
Oregon Department of Forestry
September 13, 2010
Crews from the ODF SW Oregon District/Medford Unit are battling a grass fire in the 11000 block of Blackwell Road near Gold Hill in rural Jackson County. The fire was reported about 3:30 Sunday afternoon, and by 5:30pm was estimated at 40 acres. Cause of the fire is under investigation.
Six engines from ODF and one fire crew are responding to the fire, with air support from two DC-7 tankers and three helicopters. Two dozers are working to assist at the fire. Jackson County Fire District 3 crews are also on the fire line. The fire is sending a large column of smoke up near Interstate 5, as the fire scene is about a mile from the freeway.
Fire Danger remains at ‘High’ and fire season precautions remain in effect in Jackson County.
As new information is confirmed and released from the fire scene, please check SWOFIRE on Twitter at http://twitter.com/swofire
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry / Salem
