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Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Klamath Basin Weather

 Poor Air Quality Alert

Fire Weather Watch in effect from Thursday, July 25, 01:00 PM until 09:00 PM PDT

The Klamath Rails Model Railroad Club will present their annual train show through July 27 at the Klamath County Museum.

The club’s show includes a variety of scale models, with their main layout consisting of several hundred feet of HO-scale track.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday during the two-week run. 

Entry to the train show is included with regular museum admission, which is $5 for adults, $4 for teenagers and seniors, and free for children 12 and under. An additional discount is offered for families enrolled in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

“The model trains are always a hit with our visitors, including everyone from little kids to seniors,” museum director Todd Kepple said. “The hobby requires a combination of mechanical skills, imagination and an artistic flair.”

A free-admission day for families with special needs will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14. For more information, contact the museum at (541) 882-1000.

Around the State of Oregon

Many Oregon State Parks are now CLOSED because of wildfire danger. Closings can be monitored by visiting www.stateparks.oregon.gov.

In addition, some roads and highways leading to state parks have been closed due to wildfires. Visit tripcheck.com to learn about closures and alternative routes and don’t rely on GPS units, as they may not have updated information.

For more information on wildfires in the state, visit the Oregon Department of Forestry’s website at www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/firestats.aspx.

 

The Salt Creek Fire is now fully 100% contained at 4,100 acres, ODF Southwest Oregon District said in a news release today. 

“Resources and equipment were also strategically used from the Salt Creek Fire, which was caught and lined at just over 4,100 acres and nearly entirely mopped up within the week and a half that the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1 was in command of it,” the release said. “As progress was made quickly on this incident, resources were available to respond to new fire starts and staff lightning-caused fires, even as the Salt Creek Fire transitioned to local control once more. Despite this pull on resources throughout its duration, the Salt Creek Fire is now 100% contained.”

The Salt Fire is approximately 10 miles east of Eagle Point and burning on private and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. It was first reported July 7th just after 4 p.m.

The fire is at 4,100 acres.  Salt Creek Road and Wasson Canyon Road are closed at Highway 140, and Double Day road is closed off of Butte Falls Highway. Highway 140 and Butte Falls Highway remain open.

 

SHELLY FIRE UPDATE, July 24, 2024

Location Siskiyou County, CA Size 15,477 Containment 62% Personnel 1,717 Start Date July 3, 2024, at 1:27 PM Cause Under Investigation

CURRENT SITUATION: The Shelly fire’s behavior is expected to stay largely the same today. Areas around Kidder Creek and Patterson Creek may produce smoke as the fire finds unburnt pockets of fuel. Crews will be focusing on fire suppression repair work to rehab roads and trails that may have been impacted by suppression efforts. To this point, 49% of bulldozer lines have been repaired and inspected. While Shelly Fire operations is reducing the number of personnel and equipment, the safety of the community remains paramount. Drivers in the area should remain alert for fire personnel and heavy equipment on or near the roadways. WEATHER: Today brings a 30% chance of thunderstorms along with outflowing winds that may influence fire behavior, while not testing containment lines. EVACUATIONS: For current evacuation status, visit www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff and www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountyOES Additional evacuation information and a map can be found on the Genasys site at https://protect.genasys.com/search?z=14&latlon=41.550694%2C-122.905589 CLOSURES: An official closure area around the Shelly Fire went into effect on July 4th. Hikers are not permitted in the area and will be asked to leave the area. For details and a map of the closure are, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1187463.pdf.

Monitoring Wildfires in Oregon

Fire Weather Tools from the National Weather Service

As we prepare for the peak of wildfire season in the U.S., the National Weather Service (NWS) reminds wildland fire managers that we have tools to help you monitor and fight wildfires. Whether it is a prescribed burn, ground fire or crown fire, fire managers can use this information to make decisions on how best to combat fires and keep the public safe.

Fire weather forecasters – The NWS issues Fire Weather Outlooks for the next eight days. These outlooks show areas where pre-existing fuel conditions, combined with forecast weather conditions, may result in a significant threat of wildfires.

Our Fire Weather Program supports land managers and firefighters who mitigate and respond to fires. Our weather forecasts are designed to highlight times and locations where a fire may be exceptionally hard to control. For example, we offer Red Flag Warnings, which mean warm temperatures, very low humidities and stronger winds are ongoing or expected to produce an increased risk of fire danger in 12 to 24 hours for specific locations.

Need a fire weather Spot Forecast? Land managers can request a site-specific, localized forecast for prescribed burns and wildfires to assess a potential threat. NWS recently updated this tool and will deliver additional enhancements to the application later this year. Learn more about the new Spot Forecast tool.

For federal and select state large wildfires, onsite weather forecasting support to firefighters is critical. An NWS Incident- Meteorologist (IMET) can be deployed to your incident command post. IMETs arrive on scene within 12 to 24 hours after activation and can serve up to 14 consecutive days before being relieved by another IMET. https://www.weather.gov/news/241507-fire-weather-tools

PLEASE Help Prevent Human-Caused Wildfires

• Immediately call 911 to report fires.
• Drones and other unmanned aircrafts are illegal to fly near fires.
• Fireworks, incendiary/tracer ammunition and exploding targets, are prohibited during fire season (May-October).
• Use caution when target shooting. Clear a 20-foot radius around the target by removing all vegetation and rocks.
• Ensure vehicles and trailers are properly maintained
• Make sure chains and other metal parts are not dragging.
• Keep exhaust systems clean and use spark arrestors.
• Do not park on dry grass.
• Carry extra water, shovel, and/or a fire extinguisher with you.
• Ensure your campfire is completely extinguished before leaving your campsite by making sure it is cool to the touch.
• Please don’t smoke and if you do, don’t throw out cigarette butts.
• Please be mindful and think about your actions

To ensure all Oregonians remain safe during the 2024 wildfire season, we urge everyone to stay tuned into these communications channels and follow all official safety guidelines related to air quality and recreation:

Watch Duty app: Download this app on your smartphone to understand where wildfires are in real time as well as monitor air quality and other metrics. https://app.watchduty.org

Northwest Interagency Coordination Center: During fire season, this web-based interactive map is updated daily with current fire perimeters and locations. This website acts as the wildfire resource coordination center for the Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, Oregon Dept of Forestry, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington Dept. of Natural Resources and the National Park Service. https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/index.aspx

InciWeb the Incident Information System: The federal interagency all-risk incident information management system provides an interactive map with real-time location information on wildfires. https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

Oregon Department of Forestry Wildfire News: The official wildfire news blog for the Oregon Department of Forestry. Look here for all wildfire news related to state forest lands. https://odffire.com/

Keep Oregon Green: A partnership comprised of statewide and interagency groups working together to promote awareness of the risk and causes of wildfires and how to be prepared in case of a wildfire emergency. https://keeporegongreen.org/

OregonLive Wildfire Map: A project managed by OregonLive that incorporates data from InciWeb, National Interagency Fire Center, Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, Oregon Office of Emergency Management, NOAA into an easy-to-use map tool. https://projects.oregonlive.com/wildfires/map

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality – Air Quality Monitoring Data: A real-time map and cell phone application you can use to track air quality, including wildfire smoke impacts, across the state. Check your app store for OregonAir. https://oraqi.deq.state.or.us/home/map

Purple Air – Air Quality Map System: Real-time air quality information using crowdsourced data and data from EPA air sensors. https://map.purpleair.com/1/mAQI/a10/p604800/cC0…

NOAA High Resolution Rapid Refresh Data Visualization: The High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency(NOAA) is an experimental data visualization tool for wildfire smoke. Be sure to turn on the “Vertically Integrated Smoke” layer to see smoke paths. https://hwp-viz.gsd.esrl.noaa.gov/smoke/index.html

 

During summer months, many families lose access to school food programs that are essential to their budget. However, some 30,000 children may be eligible for extra food assistance over the summer break, the state says.

To be eligible for “Summer EBT,” children must:

• Attend a school participating in the national school lunch or breakfast programs.
• Be in households with incomesat or below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, which varies by family size.

Families can visit the state’s website in English and Spanish to check eligibility. The deadline to apply is Sept. 2, and benefits last 122 days from when they are received.

Eligible families receive one annual payment of $120 per child for groceries to help when school is out. Families taking part in programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or the Oregon Health Plan received the added benefit on their electronic benefit card automatically in June.

 

Thousands of low-income Oregon families may be leaving food money on the table this summer.

The Department of Human Services said Monday that Oregon families with as many as 320,000 children in total, have received extra food assistance for the summer but families with another 30,000 children who qualify need to apply.

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children, or Summer EBT, pays a one-time payment of $120 per child to help low-income families cover food costs over the three-month summer period when children are not in school and don’t have access to those free meals.

The payment adds to other assistance, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. The summer program totals about $35 million in aid a year and is funded entirely by the federal government.

A pilot run of the program in Oregon showed it reduced child hunger by one-third, said Iván Hernández, a spokesman for the Oregon Food Bank.

This spring, the Oregon Food Bank estimated that one in five children in the state face hunger, but Feeding America says it’s one in six.

In January, Oregon officials applied for the program, and this spring the Legislature agreed to the federal requirement to pay for half of the administrative costs, about $13 million over two years.

Families who are already on SNAP, the Oregon Health Plan or Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, have received automatic $120 payments earlier this month. But these other children qualify as well:

 

The Red Cross is looking for people to donate blood and platelets before the summer ends.

The Red Cross says donors are critically needed to support hospitals’ around-the-clock demand.

Type O blood donors or anyone giving platelets are especially needed to keep hospital shelves stocked through August.

Anyone who donates from August 1 through August 31 will get a $20 Amazon gift card.

Go to the Red Cross website for more details.

 

Southern Oregon Property Insurance Sees Massive Shifts Following Wildfires

Facing a new era of risk in the light of climate-driven wildfires, insurers and residents are battling to adapt, with rural property owners facing the brunt of the changing world as insurance rates go up or in some cases- property owners struggle to get cover.

Since the 2020 Labor Day fires destroyed parts of the state- with nearly $3 billion in losses, property owners across Southern Oregon have faced an ongoing flow of communications from insurance companies- whether it’s increases,  a threat to cancel, or difficulty finding insurance, according to state Rep. Pam Marsh, a Democrat, representing southern Jackson County.

National Insurance Shake-up As Natural Disasters Eat Into Profits

Published in May, a New York Times investigation showed that homeowners insurance was unprofitable in 18 states in 2023. This prompted insurers to raise premiums, cancel policies, or completely leave states.

Driven mainly by natural disasters related to climate change such as wildfires in the western states, hurricanes in Florida, and major storms and flooding in the Midwest, as climate change escalates, insurers- who carry the weight of the disasters, are experiencing more pressure.

Without insurance, homeowners won’t be able to get a mortgage. This could result in a domino effect, with declining property values reducing tax revenues across counties- funding vital for schools and other essential services.

California is experiencing a crisis as companies like Allstate and Farmers Direct are not underwriting new policies or renewing existing ones in reaction to legislation that made it difficult, if not impossible, to stay profitable.

California insurers can’t raise rates more than 10% without a lengthy review process and are also prohibited from using “catastrophe modeling” to predict disasters such as wildfires and storms when setting insurance rates. Many of the industry’s largest companies responded by simply leaving the state. Russ Schweikert, a partner at Ashland Insurance said, “The good news in Oregon is that we’re not California”

 

Home Insurance In Southern Oregon

The reasons behind the rising premiums and shrinking choices are a combination of many things happening at the same time but affecting consumer’s wallets in a big way.

With 105 companies operating within the state at the end of 2022, Oregon still has a robust home insurance market and strong consumer protection laws such as HB 82 which requires insurance companies to notify property owners when premium increases are related to wildfire risk.

Insurers must also indicate mitigation actions property owners could take that could result in benefits such as discounts, incentives, or other premium adjustments. These requirements create transparency.

Insurance companies don’t only rely on selling insurance to make profits but also invest money from premiums, often in the stock market or real estate.

In a strong economy, it’s not a good time to buy stocks, and as occupancy rates in commercial buildings are still flagging after the pandemic, real estate is less attractive. Insurers are now relying on selling insurance to be profitable but reinsurance rates have also increased.

 

Property Owners Struggling To Find Insurance Cover

Greg White, owner of Reinholdt & O’Harra Insurance in Ashland, Oregon, said that the higher up in the woods you get in Ashland, the fewer the insurance options. Based on wildfire score, insurance companies may say ‘No, thank you.’

Insurers don’t rely on the Oregon Statewide Wildfire Hazard Map created by Oregon State University, and each company has its own way of calculating the wildfire risk. Those homeowners who can’t find coverage elsewhere can look at the FAIR plan, a state-sponsored insurance pool.

One of the majority of states with this option of last resort, Oregon’s FAIR plan premiums are higher, and coverage is capped at $600,000, but the number of Oregonians taking advantage of the FAIR plan is “astoundingly low,” according to Marsh.

There is an upward trend in policies written, largely driven by the issue of wildfire concerns, as the majority of standard carriers pull out of high-risk wildfire areas.

Some insurers are seeking ways to give a discount for the Firewise program, where neighbors take collective measures to “harden” homes and create defensible space around structures and this could prompt more communities in high-risk zones to do so.

Mitigating risk at all levels in forests, from homeowners and neighborhoods, is the best way to ensure Oregonians have the benefit of a competitive insurance market.   (SOURCE)

 

Oregon is getting one of 25 federal grants to reduce carbon emissions. EPA Regional Administrator Casey Sixkiller announced the state’s nearly $200 million award Monday in Portland.

Sixkiller says the Oregon secured the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant with a strong proposal. He says Oregon’s plan to invest in building de-carbonization, electric vehicle incentives and infrastructure, and other scalable approaches will be a guide to other states and regions as they seek to implement strategies that truly make a difference.

Leah Feldon, Director of Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality, says the money will be used to substantially decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

Oregon Housing and Community Services will receive $11 million of the award, to increase energy efficiencies in affordable housing. OHCS officials say it will help decrease utility bills for low-income families.

Governor Tina Kotek says the investment affirms the work the state is already doing to fight climate change.

The EPA received more than 300 applications for Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, doling out $4.3 billion to 25 recipients.

 

Nearly 1 in 4 Oregon workers is over 55, nearing or beyond the typical retirement age.

The share of older workers in the state’s labor force has more than doubled since 1990, according to a new report from the Oregon Employment Department. If there’s a big wave of retirements in the offing, that could limit future economic growth — especially in those industries with the highest share of older workers.

Oregon is one of the oldest states in the nation, with the median resident about 17 months older than the median American. That’s showing up in added demands on social service agencies and on the state’s health care system.

Older workers leaving the labor force could create an even tighter labor market. That might be good for employees in some ways, pushing up wages as companies compete to attract workers. And older workers’ departures would open up pathways for career advancement.

 

ODOT and the Oregon DMV says they are aware of a phishing scam in Oregon where hackers contacting our customers are claiming to be from the DMV.

Oregon DMV will never ask you for personal information, such as your driver’s license number, Social Security number, or date of birth through an unsolicited phone call, text or email.

Scammers impersonate the DMV to trick you into giving them personal information or money. If you receive an unsolicited phone call, text or email claiming to be from the DMV with an urgent matter, like your driver’s license or car registration is about to expire or you are owed money due to overpayment, ignore or delete the message or hang up. Do not click on any verification links.

If you receive a phishing call, text or email, notify the DMV Fraud Prevention Team at 503-945-8946 or send an online report.

 

After Kroger, the parent company of Fred Meyer and QFC, and Albertsons, which owns Safeway, revealed the 62 Oregon stores they would sell off to a competitor under their proposed merger, observers noticed there wasn’t a single Fred Meyer store on the list.

The sale is meant to satisfy antitrust regulators tasked with ensuring the merger won’t create a monopoly in the grocery business. That’s an even greater concern in markets like Oregon, where Kroger and Albertsons have significant overlap.

Retail analysts say there are several reasons why Kroger would keep its Fred Meyer stores.

Kevin Boeh, an affiliate professor who studies mergers and acquisitions at the University of Washington, said the floor space Fred Meyer devotes to general merchandise like home goods and clothing makes its operations fundamentally different from QFC, Safeway and Albertsons.

Fred Meyers are broad line retailers that sell more than just food. Their main competitors are Walmart, Costco and Amazon.

Kroger is leaning into general merchandise stores nationwide because, Boeh said, those kinds of stores will help it compete against such rivals.

 

Eugene man arrested after allegedly assaulting woman, trying to hit her with car, and possessing illegal firearms

The Eugene Police Department (EPD) report now that on Sunday morning, they responded to reports of a man who allegedly punched a woman and potentially tried to hit her with his car, EPD shared in a press release on Monday.

EPD tells us that they responded to an address on Danebo Ave. after a man was reported to have punched a woman, and backed his car toward her, causing her to move out of the way to avoid being hit.

The man drove away from the scene and was later identified as Gage Dalton Malone-Tague, 31. Malone-Tague was transported to Lane County Jail on charges including Assault in the 4^th degree, Reckless Endangering, Unlawful Possession of Firearm and Contempt of Court.

 

BE FIRE READY

Salem, Ore – With multiple crews engaged in initial attack on new wildfire starts and all of Oregon’s available incident management teams on assignment, now is the time for Oregonians to be prepared for wildfires and help prevent future ignitions.

Oregonians are urged to actively practice wildfire prevention, prepare their home and a go-bag for evacuation and know where to sign up for alerts.

How can people help prevent wildfires?

The Oregon Department of Forestry is urging the public to actively practice wildfire prevention as the state works to control over 20 large fires. Additional human-caused fires on the landscape will draw the firefighting efforts away from the lightning-caused fires and put extra strain on ground and aviation resources, which are already spread thin. YOU can help prevent wildfires by:

• Checking and following your local fire regulations. The majority of the state is either in high or extreme fire danger right now, meaning even the smallest of sparks could start the next large wildfire.
• Remember that debris burning is prohibited statewide.
  • Return to check on your burn site if you burned earlier in the year.
• Make sure your car has been recently serviced to avoid faulty parts throwing sparks.
• Don’t drag tow chains.
• Avoid parking vehicles on tall, dry grass.
• Recreate responsibly. Where campfires are allowed, make sure your campfire is DEAD OUT before leaving it by drowning it with water, stirring it with a shovel and repeating that process until it is cold to the touch. If there is heat coming off it, there are still embers that could reignite.

How can I prepare my home to be resilient against fire?

The Oregon State Fire Marshal can help you create defensible space. Defensible space is the area around your home and property that’s maintained to prevent wildfire from spreading. Creating and maintaining defensible space is the best protection you can give your home against wildfire.

A few ideas to protect the first five feet around your home:

• Remove leaves, pine needles, and other debris from the roof, gutters, and on top of and underneath decks.
• Trim tall plants and bushes growing directly under eaves and make sure trees and plants have adequate space from your home and other vegetation.
• Remove dead and combustible plants and mulch; replace it with decorative rock or gravel.
• Cover exterior attic vents, soffit vents, and areas below decks and patios with 1/8″ metal wire mesh.

Be cautious with using power tools and other equipment that can throw sparks and don’t operate machinery in the heat of the day. Summer is a great time to plan defensible space projects to start working on in the fall when wildfire season is over.

How can I prepare myself in case I need to evacuate?

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) urges everyone to prepare for wildfires and other emergencies by knowing evacuation levels, staying informed, having a plan, and having a go-kit ready.

Evacuation Levels

• Oregon follows a three-level evacuation notification system, each structured around safety threat level.
• Oregonians should become familiar with “Be Ready, Be Set, Go!” evacuation levels to make informed decisions when receiving evacuation notices.
• OEM urges people to evacuate whenever they feel unsafe, conditions can change rapidly; individuals should always make the best decision for their safety.
• Following an evacuation, people should not return to the area until public safety officials state it is safe.

Stay Informed

• Stay informed sign up to receive evacuation at, ORAlert.gov remember to update information if need be.
• Find the websites for your county emergency management, sheriff’s office, or tribal police and follow them on social media.
• Check your phone settingsto ensure wireless emergency alerts are turned on.

Have a Plan

• Do you know what to do during an evacuation? This evacuation checklist explains what to do before, during, and after an evacuation.
• Establish a communication plan with a list of important contacts and a safe place for loved ones to meet if they are separated during an emergency.
• Identify multiple evacuation routes from home, work, or school and plan for transportation needs.
• People with disabilities should consider individual circumstances and specific needs when planning for evacuation, such as special equipment, transportation, and service animals.
• Have an evacuation plan for pets, make a pet evacuation kit in a tote bag or pet crate, and plan for transportation and sheltering of large animals such as horses and other livestock.

Make a Go-Kit

• Assemble an emergency kit of essential supplies that can be grabbed quickly.
• Pack an easy-to-carry backpack or bag for each household member with health and safety items such as food, water, medication, flashlights, phone chargers, clothing, and important documents. Visit American Red Cross to learn more.

Find more information and resources at Wildfire.Oregon.gov.

Recreate Responsibly

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) encourages visitors to know before they go when it comes to campfire restrictions. Due to the continued low humidity and risk of wildfires, OPRD banned campfires at all Oregon State Parks east of the Cascades as well as at parks in high-risk areas around the state until conditions improve. Most Oregon State Parks currently have a campfire ban. Please check park webpages or the wildfire feature story at stateparks.oregon.gov/ before your next visit. Thank you for helping to reduce the risk of wildfires.

 

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