Oregon’s Indoor Mask Mandate Takes Effect Friday: Governor Defends Timing of Decision
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Oregon’s Indoor Mask Mandate Takes Effect Friday: Governor Defends Timing of Decision

ByTom Atkinson

Source: OregonLive.com By Aimee Green | The Oregonian/OregonLive A seemingly battle-worn Gov. Kate Brown on Wednesday defended her decision to reinstate Oregon’s indoor mask mandate this Friday – saying she didn’t realize until recently that virtually none of the county leaders she’d entrusted to change the course of the COVID-19 pandemic planned to do a…

Lane Electric Public Safety Power Shutoff Update
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Lane Electric Public Safety Power Shutoff Update

ByTom Atkinson

Information regarding our PSPS Protocol and Emergency Resources Lane Electric’s service territory continues to remain under an excessive heat warning through Saturday at 10pm. The National Weather Service recently issued a Red Flag Warning across the Central Cascades Range from 11am today through 10pm Friday. In addition, evacuation notices in conjunction with the Middle Fork Complex Fire…

FEMA Test of the Emergency Alert System TODAY – 11th Aug.
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FEMA Test of the Emergency Alert System TODAY – 11th Aug.

ByTom Atkinson

FEMA will conduct a national test of Wireless Emergency Alert (text alerts) & the Emergency Alert System (TV and radio) on August 11 at 11:20 AM PST. If you receive this test please read it carefully so that you do not confuse it with a real-time emergency alert from Lane County. ⚠️The WEA test message…

Important Wildfire Update + Links – August 11
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Important Wildfire Update + Links – August 11

ByTom Atkinson

Source: McKenzieRebuilds.org The Knoll Fire, being managed as part of the Middle Fork Complex Fire, is burning near the confluence of Deer Creek and the McKenzie River. It has prompted a Level 1 evacuation notice for the Belknap area in Lane County and a Level 1 notice for the Trail Bridge Reservoir area in Linn…

Knoll Fire August 10th Update
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Knoll Fire August 10th Update

ByTom Atkinson

August 10, 2021 update on the Knoll Fire from Darren Cross, Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Willamette National Forest. #KnollFire #FireYear2021 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.

Excessive Heat Watch This Week
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Excessive Heat Watch This Week

ByTom Atkinson

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

ByTom Atkinson

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…

Oregon Covid Dashboard Update
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Oregon Covid Dashboard Update

ByTom Atkinson

Source: GovStatus.eGov.com The range of data dashboards and resources here are really incredible so take a look if you want to keep informed as this pandemic progresses. Below is a screenshot from the latest update dashboard for earlier this week. The stunning dominance of the Delta variant (Yellow) is clear as is the rise in…

Goodpasture Covered Bridge Work to Restrict Nighttime Traffic
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Goodpasture Covered Bridge Work to Restrict Nighttime Traffic

ByTom Atkinson

Lane County will be replacing the roof of the Goodpasture Covered Bridge beginning in August. The bridge sustained damage in the most recent ice storm and the federal funding to support repairs is now available. The bridge will be closed on August 9, August 10 and August 11 from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. so…

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

ByTom Atkinson

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,…