Environment

Local Policy Makers Visit Blue River Water District

ByTom Atkinson August 10, 2021August 10, 2021

Today a group of local elected Representatives, Environmental Groups & Agencies visited the Blue River Water District Wellhead to discuss the effects of the fires and the plans for reconstruction and expansion of the District to include a new Sanitation District. Water District board member Alice Bonasio, Water District Superintendent Al Artero and Jason Carman…

Excessive Heat Watch This Week

ByTom Atkinson August 9, 2021August 10, 2021

Source: Alerts.Weather.gov EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAYAFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING… MCDC – Local Info: In the midst of this heatwave the Upper McKenzie Community Center and Living Waters Church buildings are both operating as cooling centers 11am-6pm thru Friday 13th Aug. WHAT…Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 100possible. WHERE…Portions of Southwest…

ODF – Firefighters Taking on 25 Smoke Reports in Northeast After Thunderstorms

ByTom Atkinson August 6, 2021August 6, 2021

Source: ODFFire.com August 6, 2021 La Grande, OR- Firefighters across the district have been busy responding to several lightning-caused fires from yesterday’s thunderstorms. A total of 25 smoke reports have been reported on lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry-Northeast Oregon District. These fires are spread around the district, however several of them have occurred…

Re-Marking of Hazard Trees Underway Soon

ByTom Atkinson August 3, 2021August 3, 2021

When hazard trees were originally marked – between January and April of this year – several hundred trees statewide showed signs that they had at least a slim chance of survival. Trees may have demonstrated a greenery crown scorch right at the minimum threshold or a bark char marginal enough to give it a possibility of…

Your Web Searches Today Can Help with Wildfire Restoration

ByTom Atkinson July 27, 2021July 27, 2021

Ecosia (Ecosia.org), a not-for-profit search engine that uses profits to plant trees, is going to dedicate all revenue from searches today (Tuesday, July 27) towards wildfire efforts in the US, Brazil and Australia as part of its Ecosia Wildfire Relief campaign. This will include launching a new project in partnership with American Forest Foundation to…

Fire Aware. Fire Prepared. Resources now Available

ByTom Atkinson July 22, 2021July 22, 2021

Source: Blogs.OregonState.edu Are you ready for the wildfire season? Some great new sources of information, including a webinar series and resource packet, are available online to share with family, friends and neighbors as we work to be more aware and more prepared for fire. Last summer’s 2020 wildfire events affected most Oregonians and we learned…

Campfires banned in state parks, state-managed forestland east of I5 effective Thursday, July 22

ByTom Atkinson July 21, 2021July 21, 2021

Source: ODFFire.com Salem, Ore — Due to fire danger and limited firefighting resources across the western U.S., effective Thursday, July 22 no campfires will be allowed in state parks and in state-managed forests east of Interstate 5, even in designated campfire areas. This includes charcoal fires, cooking fires, warming fires, charcoal briquettes, pellet grills, candles,…

State of Oregon Fires and Hotspots Dashboard

ByTom Atkinson July 20, 2021July 20, 2021

There are 22 active wildfires in the North West that have burned nearly half a million acres so far in 2021. With this summer shaping up to break records for wildfires it pays to be informed. This Fire & Hotspot dashboard is an amazing resource featuring live updates covering Oregon and neighbouring states plus the…

Update: Salmon Spawning Restoration Project at Finn Rock Reach

ByTom Atkinson July 15, 2021July 15, 2021

The Finn Rock Project will take place on land owned and managed by McKenzie River Trust. Beginning in June of 2021, McKenzie River Trust Staff, partners, and local contractors will begin the restoration process. The project will take place during a salmon-safe window of time with completion happening before the end of August 2021. Work…

Lane Electric – Let’s prepare for wildfire season together

ByTom Atkinson July 12, 2021July 12, 2021

Source: LaneElectric.com Emergency & Outage Preparedness – Be Prepared Just In Case Lane Electric’s mission is to provide its members with reliable service – day and night. Despite our best efforts, severe weather and unusual circumstances can wreak havoc and cause a power outage that can last for hours or days. If you are currently…