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Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Klamath Basin Weather

Around the State of Oregon

OSP and PPB Arrest 10 for Distribution of Fentanyl

PORTLAND Ore. – Oregon State Police and the Portland Police Bureau partnered on a drug enforcement mission targeting drug dealers in downtown Portland. The mission resulted in ten arrests for distribution of fentanyl.  

The Wednesday, July 17, 2024, mission was part of an ongoing effort among the two agencies to disrupt fentanyl use and distribution in the city. The mission brought together PPB’s Central Bike Squad, OSP’s Drug Enforcement Section, and Mobile Response Team which has been deployed for downtown Portland enforcement efforts since October 2023. Since its initial deployment, the team has completed more than 40 missions.

During the operation, the interagency team seized 243.3 grams of powdered fentanyl, 2.6 grams of methamphetamine, $2,131 in U.S. currency, and one firearm. Twelve individuals were arrested, with ten charged with distributing fentanyl.

Arrestees and charges include:

• Charles Thomas (33), residence unknown, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl
• Casey Caebe (36), residence unknown, arrested on an outstanding warrant
• Shafi Mursal (36) of Portland, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl
• Herdiese Bates (41) of Portland, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl
• Baker Mursal (32) of Beaverton, charged with felon in possession of a firearm and arrested on outstanding warrants
• Isais Mercado (31), residence unknown, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl, giving false information, and an outstanding warrant
• Oliverio Martinez, (27), residence unknown, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl and attempted escape
• Michael Karim, (23) of Beaverton, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl
• Daryl Johnson (49) of Portland, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl
• Cameron Cain (26) of Aloha, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl and menacing
• Amanda Cabrales (34) of Milwaukie, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl
• Alfredo Perez-Rendon, (27) of Tualatin, charged with distribution of a controlled substance – fentanyl and outstanding warrants

Martinez attempted to escape from arresting troopers; however, was apprehended by members of the OSP and PPB bike teams without incident. 

Oregon Health Authority and Centers for Disease Control data shows fentanyl has surpassed methamphetamine as the leading cause of overdose deaths in Oregon. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), seven out of ten pills seized by law enforcement contain a potentially fatal dose (2 mg) of fentanyl.

The Oregon State Police and Portland Police Bureau were assisted in the mission by the Linn County Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (LINE) and the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF).

 

Oregon national Guard Called to help with Wildfires

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has ordered four hand crews through the Oregon National Guard (ORNG).

Through Governor Kotek’s State of Emergency Declaration, ODF is able to order firefighting resources as needed from the National Guard. Since the declaration, the department has already ordered two medevac helicopters and other air support from the National Guard in support of multijurisdictional fires.

The four hand crews are comprised of 92 personnel: 22 firefighters per crew, two liaisons and two support personnel. Two of the crews will be staffed by Air Guard members and two will be staffed with Army Guard members.

ODF’s Deputy Director of Fire Operations Kyle Williams said, “This year’s extreme weather has tested our limits, but our unwavering commitment to protecting Oregon’s communities and natural resources remains. We are leveraging every resource available to fight the wildfires, including our partners at the Oregon National Guard.”

These service members will go through the administrative process to bring them on State Active Duty (SAD) orders on Wednesday, July 31 and Thursday, August 1 and will then be assigned out to a fire through ODF from there. Their assignment will last 14 days in support of the U.S. Forest Service on multijurisdictional fires.

The Oregon Department of Forestry continues to tap into every outlet available through the Oregon National Guard, our in-state partners, landowners, state-to-state mutual aid agreements and the NW Compact to mobilize more firefighters and resources.

Over a million acres of forest lands in Oregon have burned from wildfires and it’s still early in the fire season.

There are 55 large fires in the Northwest. Washington state has 11 fires and Oregon has 44 major fires. There are many more smaller fires. 12-thousand firefighters are working in the two states. That’s nearly half of all the wildland firefighters working in the U.S. Firefighters are coming from Australia and New Zealand to help supplement crews here.

A federal bill that advocates say will help shift the burden from families to tech companies for keeping kids safe online has split Oregon’s Democratic senators.

 

The Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act, which passed in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday on a 91-3 vote, seeks to shield children from cyberbullying and prevent social media algorithms from feeding content promoting suicide, eating disorders and illicit substances to unwitting minors. If approved by the U.S. House and signed into law, the bill would give the Federal Trade Commission enforcement power.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced last week that he supported provisions of the bill that would protect young people’s personal information online and curb the use of addictive digital design elements. But Wyden voted against the measure Tuesday, saying that its well-meaning restrictions on tech companies could be twisted on political grounds. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., voted for the bill.

 

BLM RANGERS CATCH ARSONIST AS WILDFIRE ACTIVITY ESCALATES

Salem, Ore. — Bureau of Land Management law enforcement rangers recently caught an arsonist who ignited a small wildfire earlier this month.

On July 6, the Oregon Department of Forestry responded to reports that a helicopter had located a column of smoke near the Willamette National Forest. They put out the fire and called the BLM once they determined it was located on BLM land in Lane County. BLM fire investigators arrived and quickly determined that the wildfire had been ignited by someone burning garbage they had illegally dumped on public land.

BLM Law Enforcement in coordination with BLM contract deputies at the Lane County Sherif’s Office swiftly identified a suspect. The suspect confessed to dumping the garbage and returning the following day to set the fire. He had returned with a canister of diesel fuel, worried that his fingerprints would be on the garbage and would be traceable to him, and he left the scene while the fire was still burning. After the confession, BLM law enforcement arrested the suspected, who was booked into the Lane County Jail.

Any fire on public lands could be dangerous, especially during the summer months. A spark can quickly turn into a raging wildfire. Last week, wildfires escalated around the Pacific Northwest. This week the region entered Preparedness Level 5, which means that resources to fight fire—from personnel, to engines, to aircraft—are stretched thin.

“Humans cause more than 80% of wildfires on our public lands,” said Adam Johnson, wildfire prevention specialist for the BLM Northwest Oregon District. “We all need to be responsible visitors and take care of our public lands.”

“Before venturing out to public lands, always check local fire restrictions,” Johnson continued. “And, please, respect all fire closures.”

Visitors to public lands can find information on BLM restrictions and closures on the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions 

If you see a fire, call 911 immediately.

District Chief Ranger Damian Hayes had another reminder for public land users, “Remember, this is not the place to get rid of unwanted garbage. Please take it to your local dump.”

“It’s our job to protect public lands for the enjoyment of current and future generations,” continued Hayes. “We take dumping very seriously and ask members of the public to call us if they see dumping or other natural resource crimes on BLM land.”

 

The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) joint inter-agency task force served a search warrant yesterday, July 30^th, after discovering images of child exploitation were uploaded from an apartment in Talent, Ore.

Detectives are interviewing possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing.

SOCET served the search warrant this morning just after 7 a.m. at an apartment complex in the 500 block of Talent Avenue. SOCET began their investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led to subpoenas, followed by the search warrant at the apartment. Talent Police Department and Jackson County District Attorney’s Office assisted with the warrant service.

During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by SOHTCTF for further evidence of child exploitation.

SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation. The task force consists of investigators from JCSO and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as prosecutors from our local, state and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson and Josephine County. SOHTCTF is a joint inter-agency task force that consists of investigators from JCSO, HSI, Oregon State Police, and MPD. There is no further information available for release.

 

Four people who were potentially exposed to hepatitis B and C and HIV during surgeries at a Portland-area hospital have filed a class action lawsuit against Providence, the medical facility and an anesthesiology group claiming their negligence has caused pain, shock and anxiety.

The four patients from Clackamas County, identified in the lawsuit by their initials, underwent surgeries at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center in Oregon City between March 2022 and February 2024, the lawsuit said. On July 11, Providence sent notices to about 2,200 patients saying the physician who administered anesthesia “failed to adhere to infection control procedures,” which exposed patients to hepatitis and HIV.

Providence encouraged the patients to be tested for the deadly viruses, “and stated that Defendant Providence ‘will reach out to discuss test results and next steps’ only ‘if a patient tests positive.’ ”

The statement did not identify the physician, who worked with the Oregon Anesthesiology Group. The physician was fired following an investigation, the lawsuit said.

Phone messages left at the Providence hospital and the anesthesiology group seeking comment were not immediately returned.

Hepatitis B can cause liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer and possibly death. Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral infection of the liver, and HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system.

The lawsuit said potential exposure to these infections have caused the the patients “pain, suffering, shock, horror, anguish, grief, anxiety, nervousness, embarrassment, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, and other general and special damages in an amount to be proven at trial.”

They have been “forced to incur the expense, inconvenience, and distraction from everyday activities due to the worry and stress” over the possible infection, the lawsuit said.

 

The historic Lithia water fountain in downtown Ashland recently reopened after being closed for months while officials debated its water quality.

The fountain was shut off out of an abundance of caution after the city shared water sample data with OHA and they considered the chemical contaminants inside to be unfit for public drinking system regulation.

OHA found higher than allowed levels of manganese, sodium, boron and barium, as well as a higher than allowed level of turbidity, or the cloudy quality of the water.

With its reopening to the public, many are celebrating its comeback.

It is currently reopened in the midst of an assessment by OHA and the city to determine whether it is being used as a historic landmark or as a drinking source.

The requirement for it to be a public drinking system, or true form of public drinking water supply, is if more than 10 people drink the water from the fountain more than 60 days out of the year.

If it meets that criteria then it will be considered for public drinking use and will need to meet the standards set for public drinking systems.

 

 

The U.S. Forest Service has approved using heavy equipment and fire retardant in forested areas where there aren’t any roads.

Use of the equipment will be approved on a case-by-case basis. The equipment can be used when it’s needed to protect lives, property, and valuable natural resources like old growth forests. Heavy equipment includes bulldozers, that can be used to reopen closed roads that can become containment lines. The Willamette National Forest in the area of the Pyramid Fire is getting the first approval.

 

Oregon airports will receive 17 million dollars from the federal government and will be used for a variety of projects that include improvements to runways. taxiways, passenger boarding bridges, and other infrastructure.

Portland International Airport receives the largest amount, more than seven-and-a-half million dollars. Bend Municipal Airport will receive over three-and-a-half million dollars and Roseburg Regional will get more than two-million-dollars. Seven other airports will split the rest of the money.

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.

 

More than 110 major wildfires are now burning across the U.S.

Communities in the norhtwest and Canada are under siege from raging wildfires. A fast-moving blaze sparked by lightning sent people fleeing on fire-ringed roads in rural Idaho and a human-caused inferno has forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes in northern California.

In eastern Oregon, a pilot was found dead in a small air tanker plane that crashed while fighting one of the many wildfires spreading across several Western states.

More than 110 active fires covering 2,800 square miles (7,250 square kilometers) are now burning across the country, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Some were caused by the weather, with climate change increasing the frequency of lightning strikes as the region endures record heat and bone-dry conditions.

Others were human-caused, like the Park Fire burning in Butte County, California, just northwest of the community of Paradise where the 2018 Camp Fire killed 85 people and incinerated thousands of homes.

Carli Parker is one of hundreds who fled their homes this week as the Park Fire pushed close. Parker decided to leave with her Forest Ranch residence with her family when the fire began burning across the street. She has previously been forced out of two homes by fire, and she said she had little hope that her residence would remain unscathed.

More than 130 structures have been destroyed by the fire, and thousands more remain threatened. The state’s largest active wildfire began Wednesday when a man pushed a burning car into a gully in Chico and then calmly blended in with others fleeing the scene, authorities said.

Ronnie Dean Stout, 42, of Chico, was arrested early Thursday and held without bail pending a Monday arraignment, officials said. There was no reply to an email to the district attorney asking whether the suspect had legal representation or someone who could comment on his behalf.

By midday Friday, the fire had burned more than 278 square miles (720 square kilometers) across the Sierra Nevada foothills above the city of 100,000. It remained completely uncontained.

Fire crews were making progress on another complex of fires burning in the Plumas National Forest near the California-Nevada line, said Forest Service spokesperson Adrienne Freeman. About 1,000 people had been displaced Thursday by the lightning-sparked Gold Complex fires, but some evacuations were lifted Friday when the 5-square-mile (12-square-kilometer) fire was about 11% contained. Fire managers pulled about 200 of the firefighters off the line at the Gold Complex so they could aid efforts on the Park Fire near Chico.

 

Wildfires Could Cause Power Outages

As wildfires continue to burn throughout the state and extreme weather events impact communities, Oregon residents are reminded to be prepared for potential power outages.

Wildfires and extreme weather can cause power outages, and weather and other conditions in specific geographies may cause electric utilities to adjust system settings, which can result in more frequent and longer outages, or even in certain cases, implement public safety power shutoffs (PSPS). A PSPS is a safety measure designed to help protect people and communities in high fire-risk areas by proactively shutting off electricity during extreme and dangerous weather conditions that might result in wildfires. Utilities may also need to deenergize lines to protect equipment from nearby fires, or to protect personnel fighting fires.

Be prepared in advance 

• Be two weeks ready – Gather food, medical supplies, batteries, pet supplies, among other things, needed by family members during an outage or evacuation for up to two weeks. Learn more about what supplies to consider.
• For individuals with a medical condition that requires power, contact your electricity service provider in advance of an outage to register a Medical Certificate. This certification provides added benefits and helps the utility ensure they meet your needs in the event of an outage.
• Make sure your utility service provider has current contact information to receive notifications by updating your account online. If uncertain which electric utility serves your area, visit https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/pages/find-your-utility.aspx.
• Keep cell phones fully charged in anticipation of an outage. Consider a car-charger for cell phones and other electronic devices.
• Plan for livestock water needs in the event well pumps lose power.
• Have a plan to relocate to an alternative location for power needs, or if you can, consider a backup generator.

During a power outage

• Avoid downed power lines, including anything near downed lines, at all costs.
• Stay clear of fire personnel and utility crews working to restore service in your community.
• Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns for emergency lighting. Do not use candles or other potential fire hazards.
• Turn off lights and unplug electric appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer to help avoid a surge to the system when service is restored. After turning off all the lights, turn one light on to know when power has been restored.
• Use generators safely – Do not run the generator inside the home or garage or anywhere near a window or vent, as these spaces can capture deadly levels of carbon monoxide. Learn more about proper use of a generator to avoid hazardous conditions.
• Check on elderly neighbors or individuals with special needs who might need additional assistance.
• Call your electricity service provider to report an outage, do not call 911.

Natural gas tips

• If required to evacuate, no need to shut off natural gas.
• If natural gas appliances do not operate properly once electricity is restored, call your natural gas service provider.
• If natural gas service is shut off, do not turn on yourself. Call your natural gas service provider to restore service.
• If you smell natural gas, evacuate immediately and call 911.

Stay informed

• Contact your electricity provider or log in to your account and make sure all contact information is current so you can receive alerts and messages.
• Visit Oregon Alert to find your local alert system. Provide current contact details and sign up for wildfire alerts.
• Before traveling visit Trip Check for details on road closures and conditions.
• Check air quality in Oregon.
• Visit State of Oregon Fires Dashboard.

 

Be Prepared with Fire Weather Tools

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.

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.

 

Oregon DFR Lowering Health Insurance Rates

Salem – Each year, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) conducts a transparent health insurance rate review process for health plans that comply with the Affordable Care Act for small businesses and people who buy their own coverage rather than getting it through an employer.

Conducting a yearly rate review ensures that premium rates charged to Oregonians adequately cover health care costs without being too high or too low. This transparent process includes public hearings and a public comment period. Once a year, insurance companies submit to the division their rate change requests for the next year. These requests are rigorously reviewed by division actuaries during a monthslong public review process.

In May, six health insurance companies submitted health insurance rates in the individual market with a weighted average increase of 9.3 percent. Following an initial public hearing and public comment period, DFR has issued a preliminary decision lowering those rates to an average 8.1 percent increase. The lowered rates were driven by an actuarial review by the division that found several components of the company rate filings to be above division actuarial parameters. The Department has the authority to review and revise rates to ensure they are “reasonable and not excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory,” pursuant to ORS 743.018 (4).

“Our new health rate review guide helps to bring clarity and make the process more accessible. I’m glad we were able to find ways to save Oregonians money in a time when budgets are tight,” said Andrew R. Stolfi, Oregon insurance commissioner and director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “Our health insurance market is competitive, and we have five carriers offering plans in every Oregon county next year, which gives Oregonians more options to shop for plans to fit their budget.”

As part of this year’s health rate review filings, Moda became the fifth company to offer health insurance in every single county in Oregon after expanding into Benton, Linn, and Lincoln counties. Moda joins BridgeSpan, PacificSource, Providence, and Regence as health insurance companies who provide coverage in all parts of Oregon. It is the first time that five insurers have offered plans in every county.

In the small group market, which serves small businesses with one to 50 employees, eight insurance companies submitted health insurance rates with a weighted average increase of 12.3 percent. DFR’s analysis resulted in lowering the requests of two companies. The average increase range is now 5.7 percent to 16.3 percent, for a weighted average increase of 12.2 percent. The increase was due in large part to medical costs and inflation.

DFR’s review also showed that the Oregon Reinsurance Program continues to help stabilize the health insurance market and keep rates lower. This program works to offset risk experienced by insurers, ultimately lowering premiums. Reinsurance lowered rates by at least 6 percent for the seventh straight year. In fact, this year it saved consumers 8.4 percent.

See the attached chart for the full list of rate change requests.

The division has created a Consumer Guide to 2025 Health Insurance Rate Filings to explain how rates were arrived at and the adjustments made. This guide provides comprehensive detail as to the key components of the 2025 rates and an explanation to adjustments made by the division.

The division has also created a general Consumer Guide to Health Insurance Rate Review to help explain how rates are determined each year.

DFR will hold a virtual hearing Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 1 p.m., for final public comment on the preliminary rates. A link for the hearing and the consumer guides can be found at www.oregonhealthrates.org.

Final decisions will be made in August after the public hearing and comment period end.

CMS Clears Oregon State Hospital from Immediate Jeopardy Status

(Salem, OR)_Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has informed Oregon State Hospital (OSH) administration that the hospital is no longer in immediate jeopardy status. 

Surveyors had cited issues related to hourly checks of patient location and wellness. The hospital instituted an administrative directive that updated procedures for completing and documenting viability checks.

This is still an active survey process. The investigation is related to the unexpected death of a patient in May 2024. The next step will be the delivery of an official CMS statement of deficiencies.

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.

 

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.

 

Federal Advisory Committee completes detailed set of recommendations for amending Northwest Forest Plan

YREKA, Calif. — A Federal Advisory Committee (FAC) has completed a comprehensive set of recommendations for amending the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) aimed at modernizing forest management practices across the Northwest Forest Plan area.  After developing the recommendations over the last 10 months, the committee voted unanimously to approve and advance the completed recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture. The recommendations address critical issues such as ensuring tribes are included in land management planning and implementation, conserving mature and old growth forests and the species that rely on them, providing sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities, and supporting fire resiliency for forests and communities.  The recommendations come as part of an effort to update the NWFP, originally implemented in 1994, to better align with current environmental, social, and economic challenges.   “The recommendations from the FAC represent a significant milestone in our efforts to update the Northwest Forest Plan,” said Jacque Buchanan, Regional Forester for the Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service. “These thoughtful proposals reflect a collaborative approach to addressing the complex challenges facing our forests today, including climate change, wildfire resilience, and the need for sustainable forest management. We are committed to carefully considering these recommendations as we move forward with the plan amendment process.”  The committee developed 192 recommendations targeting key areas that update the current NWFP. These areas include Tribal Inclusion and Rights, Economic Opportunities, Fire Resilience, Climate and Ecosystem Integrity, Carbon Sequestration and Storage, Community Protection, and Adaptive Management. The FAC also made a host of recommendations for how to develop forest stewardship across the diverse NWFP landscape.  The FAC’s work provides a foundation for addressing these complex issues while honoring the plan’s original goals of ecosystem conservation, endangered species habitat protections, and sustainable timber production.  “What the Committee accomplished is historic,” said NWFP FAC co-chairs Susan Jane Brown and Travis Joseph in a joint statement. “By unanimously approving dozens of meaningful recommendations to modernize the Northwest Forest Plan, this group has demonstrated the power of collaboration, consensus, and working together for a common cause. We all share a deep love and commitment to our national forests and people and communities that steward them.”  The 20-person committee is a diverse group from Tribes, local communities, environmental groups, industry, and academia across Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. “We tackled some of the most challenging and contentious issues that ignited the Northwest Forest Wars,” Brown and Joseph wrote. “While we recognize our work does not address all the issues and injustices of the Northwest Forest Plan, the committee’s consensus recommendations represent the most significant progress in the last 30 years to achieve our shared values for responsible forest stewardship on national forests in the Pacific Northwest.” The Forest Service will carefully review the FAC’s recommendations as the agency works toward amending the NWFP. Public engagement opportunities will be announced in the coming months as the plan amendment process moves forward.  The Federal Advisory Committee’s recommendations can be viewed here:  NWFP FAC Recommendations direct link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1188978.pdf The Northwest Forest Plan is a comprehensive plan for administering parts of federally managed lands in Oregon, Washington, and California. The plan was designed to protect old-growth forests and critical habitat for the northern spotted owl, while also providing for forest products, water quality, recreation, and other uses. For more information visit: Northwest Forest Plan Federal Advisory Committee: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/nwfpfac Northwest Forest Plan: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r6/reo/ The Pacific Northwest Region: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r6 The Pacific Southwest Region: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r5

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