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March 28, 2024

Klamath Basin News, Thursday, 5/20 – County Voters Sink the Transient Hotel Room Tax; County Receives $600,000+ from State in Additional Business Funding to Address Covid-19 Impacts

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The latest and most comprehensive coverage of local News, Sports, Business, and Community News stories in the Klamath Basin, Southern Oregon and around the state of Oregon from Wynne Broadcasting’s KFLS News/Talk 1450AM / 102.5FM, The Herald & News, and BasinLife.com, and powered by Mick Insuranceyour local health and Medicare agents.

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Klamath Basin Weather

Today Cloudy at times with a high near 49. A chance of snow showers before 2pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 2pm and 3pm. Overnight, rain mixed with snow, low of 33. Snow level 4800 feet lowering to 4200 feet after midnight .


Friday A slight chance of snow showers before 8am, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 8am and 11am, then a chance of rain showers after 11am, high near 53.
Saturday A 30% chance of showers, mainly after 11am. Snow level 5300 feet.
Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Monday Sunny, with a high near 71.
Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 75.

Today’s Headlines

Oregon reports 394 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 7 new deaths

There are seven new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,601. The Oregon Health Authority reported 394 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 bringing the state total to 196,787.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (1), Benton (6), Clackamas (31), Clatsop (5), Columbia (4), Coos (1), Crook (11), Curry (6), Deschutes (36), Douglas (8), Grant (1), Harney (3), Hood River (1), Jackson (31), Jefferson (8), Josephine (11), Klamath (9), Lake (1), Lane (22), Lincoln (1), Linn (24), Malheur (4), Marion (42), Morrow (1), Multnomah (57), Polk (8), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (10), Union (1), Wallowa (2), Wasco (4), Washington (32) and Yamhill (10).

Although 70% of Klamath County voters voted against ballot measure 18-120, which would’ve raised the transient room tax in the county from 8% to 11%, one group that was opposed to the measure said the results in their favor wasn’t a win.

Citizens for Responsible Government isn’t opposed to raising the room tax rate. The group instead encouraged no votes because of the vague language in the measure that earmarks 30% of the increase for “county services,” with the other 70% going to tourism promotion, through agencies like Discover Klamath.

Another group relieved by the results were some hoteliers, who would’ve been responsible for implementing this tax.

Victoria Haley, who represented a group of hotel, motel and RV park owners in the area opposed to increasing their room tax, said she was pleased by the results. She and hoteliers plan to work on an alternate tourism funding mechanism, like a tourism improvement area. Haley said they will work on a better plan than the one that passed through the county last year that would leave the hoteliers more in control of the funding. She does hope to see more tourism promotion in the area to make Klamath more competitive.


On Wednesday, OHA reported that 24,280 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry. The 7-day running average is now 27,118 doses per day.

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 306, which is 25 fewer than day prior. There are 78 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit beds, which is one fewer than day prior. OHA statistics report just 9 new covid cases in Klamath County since yesterday.

The South Suburban Sanitary District is getting a leadership shake-up following May 2021’s special election in Klamath County.

Kevin Harter and Michael Koger ousted two incumbent board of directors members, Jim Bellet and Charlie Dehlinger. Bellet had been on the board for the past three years, and Dehlinger for the past six. Harter and Koger ran essentially the same campaign, backed by a coalition of residents who oppose SSSD’s current plan to comply with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s recent total maximum daily load requirements for the Klamath River.

The district currently plans to transport treated sewage water — known as recycled water — via pipeline outside its service area to farmland near Reeder Road and in North Poe Valley. Opponents are concerned that the recycled water would have negative impacts on the immediate environment of the land, which borders many of their homes. Klamath County has also objected to SSSD’s recycled water proposals, which were later reversed by Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals.

The Oregon Institute of Technology and the faculty union, the American Association of University Professors, ratified their first labor contract Monday that will last through June 2025.

The administration and union tentatively agreed to contract terms on May 4 after a strike that stretched into its second week and almost a year and a half of bargaining.

The contract ensures 11.5% faculty salary increases over the life of the contract, with the possibility of an additional 3.5% in merit raises. The contract also maintains healthcare costs, with the university paying between 95 and 97% of the costs.

The agreement also defines workload guidelines, including instructional time in the classroom and non-instructional time, like advising and professional development.

Klamath County has more than $600,000 in additional funding to address COVID-19 impacts on local businesses, and it’s eager to distribute it.

According to a news release from the South Central Oregon Economic Development District, the county received $602,773 in funding made available by Governor Kate Brown’s office and the state legislature during the most recent reinstatement of extreme risk status on many counties.

Klamath County entered extreme risk for approximately a week at the end of April, forcing it to cease indoor dining and greatly reduce capacity at other businesses.

The governor’s office announced $20 million in statewide aid to businesses impacted by that round of restrictions, and allocated it to counties to distribute. In order to qualify for this grant, the release said businesses must principally operate out of Klamath County and have fewer than 100 full-time employees. Additional eligibility requirements are outlined in the grant application.

The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office is reminding drivers about the lifesaving benefits of wearing a seat belt this spring, during the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) national Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement effort.

The national seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, runs from May 24 to June 6, 2021.  According to NHTSA, in 2019, there were 9,466 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in the United States. In that same year, 55% of passenger vehicle occupants killed at night (6 p.m.–5:59 a.m.) were not wearing their seat belts. That’s why one focus of the

Click It or Ticket campaign is nighttime enforcement. Almost twice as many males were killed in crashes as compared to females, with lower belt use rates, too. Of the males killed in crashes in 2019, more than half (51%) were unrestrained. For females killed in crashes, 40% were not buckled up.  

For more information on the Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/ciot.

A Henley High School senior is one of 100 high school cadets nationwide chosen to participate in the Air Force Junior ROTC’s Cyber Academy.

Erin Olthoff, 17, will attend a six-week virtual, online summer university program for college credit and the opportunity to earn an industry IT certification.   Olthoff, who will graduate high school in June, has been a member of Henley’s Air Force JROTC program for four years.

“I’ve always been interested in computer science and the military,” he said. “It comes back to wanting to help my country.”

This fall, he will attend Oregon State University and major in computer science with a long-term career goal of working in cyber security for the Air Force. The Air Force established the Cyber Academy last year through a limited pilot program. This year, 100 cyber scholarships were funded by the National Science Foundation. 

Around the state of Oregon

Late yesterday afternoon, emergency personnel were dispatched to the intersection of Sterling Point Drive and McQuire Way, an East Medford neighborhood, for a report of an auto vs. bicyclist traffic accident.

Medical personnel tended to the 14 year old bicyclist and ultimately transported him to Rogue Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased. The driver of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, who collided with the bicyclist, is a 16 year old male, and the only occupant of the vehicle.

The investigation revealed the bicyclist was wearing a helmet, as he traveled westbound on McQuire Way, gaining speed on the downhill section of road. The Jeep was traveling southbound on Sterling Point Drive.

The bicyclist attempted to make the right turn to proceed northbound on Sterling Point Drive, when he struck the Jeep. There is no evidence of criminal liability involving the driver of the Jeep. The victim has been identified Mason Ridgeway, 14 years old, who lived near the scene. Next of kin have been notified.

In the Rogue Valley’s Talent and Phoenix fire area, the state of Oregon reports fire debris removal is about 77% complete as of today

State-managed crews are working on the process of clearing the ash and debris out of areas in the Almeda corridor.
These were properties that were burnt down during the Almeda fire more than seven months ago.

“Seeing properties cleaned up and the potential for the rebuilding, that’s going to happen over time. That means the world. It means a lot to the communities that we serve, and seeing just properties cleaned up. And we’re really at a point now where we are in the final stages of cleanup,” Kevin Alvarado, spokesman for the Oregon Debris Management Task Force said.

The task force is combined of groups from the Oregon Departments of Transportation, Environmental Quality and Emergency Management.

On Thursday, Alvarado stated that they are about 77% percent through their part of the clean up process.

“So, the state, will be sending property owners in the next coming days a letter that says that property, cleanup has been complete, that soil testing has been complete and, that they are ready to rebuild,” Alvarado added.

Kevin added that once those letters are sent out it will be up to the individual property owners to work their local municipalities to get building permits to start building.

“We’re extremely proud of the work being done by our contractors, the pace of work that they’ve been able to achieve. This is something that we understand. There’s no such thing as fast enough when it comes to getting people back into their homes. However, we constantly see glimmers of fantastic work coming throughout our, from our crews,” Alvarado concluded.

Rogue River Highway Standoff in Grants Pass

Larsen Othon

On the afternoon of Tuesday, May 18, 2021, the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS) was contacted by the United States Marshals Service (USMS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) regarding two fugitives believed to be traveling from the state of Washington to Grants Pass, Oregon.

The suspects, 36-year-old Guillermo B. Othon and 26-year-old Cierra B. Larsen, had felony warrants for their arrest out of Thurston County, Washington.

In addition to the no-bail warrants, Othon and Larsen were wanted in connection with a home invasion robbery involving the use of firearms, which also occurred in Washington. Both suspects were considered armed and dangerous and were traveling with their 4-year-old daughter to a residence in the 1800-block of Rogue River Hwy.

Due to the nature of the crimes and the presence of a young juvenile, GPDPS responded with an abundance of caution. Prior to the arrival of the suspects in Grants Pass, the GPDPS Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team and Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) were activated and staged in the area, along with Patrol Officers, Detectives, Administration, Community Service Officers and a K9 Unit. Agents with HSI Medford and Tacoma offices responded and were assisted by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air & Marine and Deputy US Marshals. Due to the proximity to the Rogue River, Marine Deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist on the water. Additional aid was provided during this incident by Grants Pass Fire Rescue (GPFR), American Medical Response (AMR) and Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS).

Othon and Larsen arrived in Grants Pass around 6pm. When officers attempted contact, the two fugitives immediately barricaded with their child inside the residence and ignored all commands to come out. They hid from view, but officers could hear pounding noises coming from inside. The occupants of several neighboring residences were evacuated for their safety.

Numerous attempts were made to contact Othon and Larsen by phone and PA system with no response. Diversionary devices were deployed to gain compliance; Othon exited the residence and was detained at 7:30pm. He was later lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant and new charges of Interfering with a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest.

Larsen remained barricaded inside the residence with her daughter. Over the next several hours, negotiators made countless attempts to contact Larsen by phone and PA system. Only one response was received, via text message at 8:34pm, in which Larsen indicated she was not at the residence. Despite repeated pleas for Larsen to give up and to release her daughter, there was no other reply nor sound heard from the residence. 

After a search warrant was obtained, and all other options exhausted, members from the GPDPS SWAT Team began a slow and cautious search of the residence. Larsen and her daughter were eventually located hidden beneath a layer of insulation in the attic. The child was rescued from the attic at 1:55am and immediately evaluated by medical personnel before being taken into protective custody. Larsen was detained a few minutes later; she was later lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant, pending local charges.

A small section of Rogue River Hwy was closed for several hours during this incident. During that time, two separate vehicles drove past police barricades, one at 9:26pm and one at 12:53am. These incidents posed a safety risk to the agencies on scene and required additional officers respond to investigate. Both drivers were found to be impaired and arrested for DUII.

Throughout this event, the number one priority for every agency involved was the health and safety of the four-year-old child. City, County, State and Federal agencies all worked together to coordinate a peaceful resolution. The professionalism of each individual involved resulted in the successful rescue of the child, who was found to be uninjured and in good spirits. We would also like to thank the public for their patience, particularly the neighbors who were disturbed by the events and evacuations. – Grants Pass Dept. of Public Safety 

The Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend is opening for business again, with 14 shows already announced for 2021.

As the percentage of coronavirus-vaccinated Oregonians continues to rise, Oregon is slowly moving back toward normalcy — and that includes a resumption of live entertainment. The popular 8,000-seat Bend venue announced Wednesday a partnership with California-based Live Nation Entertainment to bring more and bigger names and events to the amphitheater.

Upcoming shows at the 20-year-old amphitheater in Bend’s Old Mill District include Dierks Bentley (Aug. 15), Death Cab for Cutie (Sept. 6), the Dave Matthews Band (Sept. 8) and Lord Huron (Sept. 26). The Les Schwab Amphitheater concert season’s first date right now is Aug. 12.


Five counties in eastern Oregon voted for becoming a part of Idaho on May 18: Sherman, Lake, Grant, Baker, and Malheur counties

No counties voted against. The average was 62% in favor.  Two additional Oregon counties had already voted in favor in November: Union and Jefferson. In the five counties that voted on this issue, the average turnout was 43%, much higher than the statewide average of 25% for this election.

The ballot measures are a part of an effort to move the Oregon/Idaho border to extend Idaho’s jurisdiction over rural, conservative counties of eastern and southern Oregon. The ballot measures are intended to put pressure on the state legislatures of Oregon and Idaho to negotiate an interstate compact to relocate their common border.

“This election proves that rural Oregon wants out of Oregon. Sherman County voted for a ballot initiative that makes county commissioners responsible for promoting “the interests of the County in the relocation of Idaho state borders.”

Four other counties voted for a ballot initiative that requires county commissioners to meet periodically to “discuss how to promote the interests of [the county] in any negotiations regarding relocations of Idaho state borders.”

Oregon Economic Forecast Shows Strong Revenue and Kicker Rebates

Oregon state leaders state that Oregon is on track to bring in an additional $1 billion in tax revenues this budget cycle and could pay out a “kicker” tax rebate of up to $1.4 billion, state economists told lawmakers Wednesday afternoon. It’s a dramatic rebound from the down forecast one year ago.

“Today’s forecast is stunning,” House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, said in a press release. “A year ago, the world was in a free fall. Oregon’s decisions and investments in the face of converging crises have started an incredibly strong recovery.”

Senate Republicans proclaimed in a press release that “Oregon is swimming in money.” Senate President Peter Courtney described the forecast as “unbelievable.”

Federal aid that poured into Oregon in the form of higher-than-usual unemployment benefits for almost anyone out of a job due to the pandemic, even if they weren’t seeking other work, and assistance for renters, business owners, health care providers and other groups helped lead to the strong economic performance and mammoth taxes projected to pour in from individuals and corporations.

With just six weeks left in the two-year budget cycle that ends in June, lawmakers aren’t expected to spend more than a trickle of the unanticipated $1 billion in the current budget, which is already about $24 billion. So that money will be there to cushion the next state budget from the huge tax write-offs the kicker will provide during that period.

Additionally, economists Mark McMullen and Josh Lehner predicted the state will reap an additional $1 billion more than previously expected in every biennium through 2027.

McMullen noted there is a lot riding on the accuracy of state economists’ revenue estimates for the next two years, because the state’s unique kicker rebate is triggered when tax revenues for a biennium come in more than 2% above economists’ forecast from the start of the cycle. The state must return the full amount above the forecast to taxpayers. He cautioned lawmakers against blowing all the anticipated cash, in case actual revenues turn out to be lower.

“We really have to stick our necks out with an aggressive forecast or we risk giving away the mother of all kickers,” McMullen said. “While this is great for budget-writers, I really implore them that savings going forward is a must.”

Budget writers have until June 27 to wrap up that spending plan and all other legislative business. They already had $2.6 billion from the latest federal aide package to allocate as well.

In press releases, Gov. Kate Brown and Democratic and Republican legislative leaders all spoke about the importance of focusing on one-time spending items rather than establishing new, ongoing commitments and they acknowledged the uncertainty around future revenues. “We must also recognize that the extended tax-filing deadline and delayed information on the federal relief funds have created significant budget uncertainty,” Kotek said. “As we balance the state budget, we must maintain strong reserves to ensure we can adjust as needed.”

“As we near the end of the legislative session, I am urging the Legislature to pass a budget that reflects these investments — a budget Oregon can be proud of and that will continue moving us forward — while at the same time reserving additional general fund dollars,” Brown said.

Oregon taxpayers would receive their share of the kicker as a credit against their 2021 taxes when they file next spring. The size of the rebate would be based on how much tax they paid the state when they filed their 2020 taxes this year. For people whose earnings are within the state’s median adjusted gross income range of $35,000 to $40,000, they would receive a $312 rebate. The top 1% of earners with about $442,000 in income could receive rebates of $12,000.

On Wednesday, Oregon economists delivered their latest revenue forecast including a prediction for a $1.4 billion kicker tax rebate. This chart shows the estimated amounts taxpayers would receive, based on their adjusted gross income.

Rep. Khanh Pham, a Democrat from Portland, said the estimates of rebate sizes by income level illustrated why the rebate, which is enshrined in the state’s constitution, should be reformed or eliminated. The kicker “is just so unequal, so inequitable,” Pham said.

The state’s largest business lobbying group, Oregon Business & Industry, seized on the good economic news to call for lawmakers to end any discussion of raising taxes by scaling back or eliminating breaks this session.

“Lawmakers should immediately close the books on discussions of tax increases in any form,” Oregon Business & Industry president Sandra McDonough wrote in a statement.

Democrats had expressed interest in repealing Oregon’s copycat versions of new federal tax breaks created in 2020, including one that overwhelmingly benefits just the top 1% of earners and another that only applies to businesses with at least $25 million in annual revenue. Some also wanted to eliminate a tax break copied from federal code that allows businesses that received federal Paycheck Protection Program grants to reduce their tax bills by writing off their expenditures of taxpayer money. The momentum to eliminate those breaks fizzled amid repeated positive revenue forecasts, even though those forecasts showed many businesses — with exceptions such as the hospitality industry — rebounded quickly or did well during the pandemic.

Revenue Forecast: Legislature Can Fully Fund the Oregon Health Plan

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Becky Hultberg, President and CEO of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, released the following statement on today’s revenue forecast.

“Today’s revenue forecast, which wowed lawmakers and economists alike, shows that the state has more than enough resources to meet its commitments to Oregonians most in need. We are heartened to hear legislative leaders say that they can fund vital priorities this biennium, and that Oregon’s recovery will extend well into future budget cycles. Given the challenges Oregon families have faced due to COVID-19, it is critical to ensure full access to care during this time of uncertainty. We can and should commit to ensuring continued access to health care for the more than 1.2 million Oregonians served by the Oregon Health Plan and to supporting the providers and organizations that care for them.”

About OAHHS: Founded in 1934, OAHHS is a statewide, nonprofit trade association that works closely with local and national government leaders, business and citizen coalitions, and other professional health care organizations to enhance and promote community health and to continue improving Oregon’s innovative health care delivery system. Oregon Assn. of Hosp. and Health Systems (OAHHS)

Oregon Senate Votes To Make Health Care A Right

Oregon voters will decide in November 2022 whether health care is a fundamental right that merits a place in the state constitution. House lawmakers voted 34-23 along party lines on Wednesday to send a constitutional amendment to voters that would ensure every Oregonian has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care as a human right.

A vote in the House cleared the way for Oregon voters to decide in November 2022 whether health care should be considered a right in the Oregon Constitution. The House passed Senate Joint Resolution 12 on a 34-23 vote along party lines on Wednesday, May 19. The resolution does not require the governor’s signature.

The Oregon Senate on Thursday approved a resolution that would ask voters to decide whether the state is obligated to ensure that every resident has access to affordable health care as a fundamental human right.

The resolution, whose aim is to amend the state Constitution, was approved along party lines, with Democratic senators in favor and Republicans opposed. It next goes to the House in the Democrat-controlled Legislature.

A similar effort in 2018 was approved by the House but it died in committee in the Senate. If it had been put on the ballot and approved by voters, it would have been the first constitutional amendment in any state to create a fundamental right to healthcare.

“Every Oregonian deserves access to cost-effective and clinically appropriate health care,” said Senate Majority Leader Rob Wagner. “Oregon’s Constitution should reflect that truth.”

If the House passes the bill, voters would be asked to consider amending the state’s 162-year-old Constitution.

Republicans said any promise to ensure all Oregonians are entitled to health care lacks financial backing.

It is estimated that it would cost up to $4 billion for state-supported insurance coverage to reach everyone under the Oregon Health Plan, which is jointly funded by federal and state governments.

Oregon’s uninsured adults are estimated at 6% of the population. Most children are now covered.

Ballot-Initiative Efforts To Move Eastern Oregon Counties To Idaho Gains Momentum

Oregon border

Five eastern Oregon counties voted Tuesday in favor of considering becoming part of Idaho. Baker, Grant, Lake, Malheur and Sherman counties join Union and Jefferson, which voted last year to require county officials to study or promote joining Idaho.

Grant voted 1,471 to 895 for county officials “to meet and discuss relocating Idaho border.”

Lake voted 1,341 to 463 for the “relocation of Idaho border” to be taken up in “county board of commissioners meetings.”

Malheur voted 3,050 to 2,572 for “county court meetings regarding relocation of Oregon-Idaho border.”

Sherman voted 429 to 260 in favor of “promoting moving Oregon-Idaho border.”

Baker County results are not yet available from the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office.

The group Move Oregon’s Border for a Greater Idaho is hoping Gov. Kate Brown’s statewide stay-at-home order won’t derail for long its newly launched signature-gathering effort in Josephine County.

The grassroots group Move Oregon’s Border for a Greater Idaho wants to flip Oregon’s mostly rural eastern and southern counties — plus a few northern counties in California — into Idaho, believing they’d be better off in Idaho’s more conservative political environment. It’s hoping that political pressure from county initiative votes will lead to negotiations between Oregon and Idaho to move the border between the two states, putting up to 22 of Oregon’s 36 counties in Idaho.

“This election proves that rural Oregon wants out of Oregon,” lead petitioner Mike McCarter said in a statement. “If Oregon really believes in liberal values such as self-determination, the Legislature won’t hold our counties captive against our will. If we’re allowed to vote for which government officials we want, we should be allowed to vote for which government we want as well.”

The signature-gathering effort “to gain political refuge from blue states” was hampered last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it’s now picking up some momentum. Several prominent elected officials in Idaho, including Gov. Brad Little, have expressed support for the movement.

Despite the many significant jurisdictional, economic and bureaucratic issues that a new border would involve, Move Oregon’s Border for a Greater Idaho says the movement has spurred a passionate response, noting that the average turnout in the counties that voted on the issue in the May 2021 special elections was nearly twice as high as in other Oregon counties.

Moving Oregon counties into Idaho remains a long shot, for no matter how many Oregon counties say they want to be part of Idaho, the two state legislatures — and ultimately the U.S. Congress — would have to give their approval.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept – Keep your camping trips safe and memorable with these campfire tips

Jobs at Oregon Parks and Recreation Department | EnvironmentalCareer.com

Many of us enjoy a campfire because it evokes memories of past camping trips with family and friends. We sit around the fire and talk, laugh and enjoy the company. The warmth of the moments rivals the heat from the campfire.

Consider ways to build a safe campfire as you start your summer camping preparations. Also, keep in mind that our drier than normal spring weather is a concern for Oregon and the West. Be sure to research conditions for the area near where you’re camping before you head out. Fire restrictions may be in place at the park, county or state level. The Oregon State Parks website will post the latest information about campfires in state parks.

“Regularly reviewing campfire safety practices, even if you’re a seasoned camper, is a good habit,” said Chris Havel, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) associate director. “It’s especially important if you’re camping with children or folks that are learning about responsible outdoor recreation.  If you have a question or a concern, talk with a park ranger or camp host.”

OPRD offers the following tips for a safe and enjoyable campfire, and to continue the tradition of great camping memories for everyone.

  • Maintain campfire flames at knee height, or roughly two feet high. A smaller flame helps prevent ash and embers from rising into the trees or dry vegetation. If you see the wind stirring up embers, play it safe and put the fire out.
  • Only build campfires in the existing fire ring in your campsite. Fire rings are placed in areas with buffer zones and away from vegetation.
  • Always keep plenty of water nearby so you can use it to safely put out the campfire. Drown the flames with water and carefully stir the embers to make sure everything is wet. The stirring step is important: ash and wood debris often maintain heat and embers unless they are drowned out.
  • Beach campfires should be on open sand and away from driftwood or vegetation. Slowly pour water on your beach fire to put it out. Don’t pour the water too quickly because hot sand can fly up and hit anyone nearby. Also, don’t use sand to put out a beach fire. Covering the fire with sand will insulate the coals, keeping them hot enough to burn someone hours or even days later.
  • For propane fire rings, follow the same safety precautions you would with a log-based campfire. The use of propane fire rings may vary statewide, depending on local conditions.
  • Make sure everyone in your campsite is familiar with campfire safety, including children. Always keep an eye on your campfire; many accidental fires are started because campers left their fire unattended for “just a minute.”

During May, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal, the Office of Emergency Management, Keep Oregon Green, the U.S. Forest Service, OPRD and other federal, state and local emergency and response agencies are promoting programs and messages encouraging the public to work together in their local communities to prevent the risk of wildfire.

Information about recreation and wildfire safety is at keeporegongreen.org. Visit stateparks.oregon.gov for information about Oregon State Parks. — Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept.

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