today's headlines
173rd Fighter Wing will conduct night operations this week
The 173rd Fighter Wing will conduct night flights this week, from Tuesday, May 30 to Friday, June 2. Trading will take place approximately between 5:00 p.m. until 22:00
Night flying is part of the curriculum for student F-15C pilots at Kingsley Field, the United States Air Force's premier F-15C school.
Much of the training will take place in military operational airspace east of Lakeview, where pilots can fly without lights. However, the planes are likely to be heard by the local community during takeoffs and approaches to and from Kingsley Field. Takeoffs will take place after sunset and the jets will return approximately an hour and a half later.
"Whether defending homeland or deployed in contingency operations, F-15 pilots must be proficient at night flights," said Col. Micah Lambert, deputy commander of the 173rd FW. "Night flight training covers the full range of skills required to be a combat-ready F-15 pilot."
Community members can contact the neighborhood PUpublic affairs office at 541-885-6677 to voice any concerns you have during this time.
Driving through the downtown streets will soon need your renewed attention. The City of Klamath Falls is considering a major change to the downtown area with Some of the traffic lights become two-way and four-way stops.
A test phase begins on Thursday, June 1. The change will include the installation of red and yellow flashing lights at several proposed intersections.
Traffic signals downtown were studied to see if removing them and replacing them with two-way or four-way stops would have a safety benefit, according to the statement. Sign modifications would also include the installation of curb extensions. This will shorten the travel distance through the intersection for pedestrians and narrow the roadway.
The original analysis called for pedestrian countdown timers and reflective markings on signals. The traffic study found that the signs are not justified and it would be feasible to replace the signs with stop signs. Funding for this project comes largely from the Oregon Department of Transportation's All Roads Transportation Safety (ARTS) program.
According to the release, the researchers collected traffic metrics for both vehicles and pedestrians. None of the proposed intersections met the criteria for a traffic signal.
The opinion of citizens will be essential during the testing phase, according to the statement. To do this, a multi-month trial will be run to collect data and see how the community responds to the changing traffic pattern.
According to the post, there will be a wide reach, outreach to local media, as well as social media and community groups. City staff also hope to create a survey or questionnaire to solicit feedback during the testing phase. If you have any questions about the upcoming release of this downtown traffic signal test, please emailadmin@klamathfalls.cityor call 541-883-5270.
A health treatment center in Klamath Falls lost state funding for not following the rules of Measure 110. Red is the path to well-being.was approved to receive one and a half million dollars from Measure 110.
The Oregon Health Authority says it received complaints that the center provided the wrong supportive housing and employment services. He also did not submit expense reports. OHA has terminated their agreement and will distribute the funds to other network partners.
Crews from the Klamath Falls Street Department will be performing maintenance work this week.
Crews are scheduled to work from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. m. to 4 p.m. m. From Tuesday May 30 to Friday June 2.
Asphalting crews will perform asphalt repairs at the following points:
- Mars:Intersection of North 8th Street and Grant Street and the 700 block of Cook Street
- Wednesday May 31:Uerlings street and intersection of Mt. whitney
- Thursday June 1:The 3900 block of Clinton Avenue, the 3500 block of Boardman Avenue, the 3900 block of Miller Avenue, the intersections of Austin Street and Onyx Avenue and Altamont Drive and the Southside Bypass
Paint crews are scheduled to strip and paint legends and crosswalks Tuesday through Friday on South 8th Street from Klamath Avenue to Spring Street.
Sign maintenance and sweeping will take place Tuesday through Friday throughout the city as needed.
Detours and signage will be placed where necessary.
Drivers are asked to use caution in areas where crews work. Work may be delayed or canceled due to weather, equipment failure, or unexpected emergencies.
For more information, call the city's Department of Public Works at 541-883-5363.
Klamath County or utility companies will also have crews on the roads this week.
Drivers are asked to use caution when in work areas and watch for flaggers. Drivers who can avoid work zones are asked to use an alternate route for their own safety and the safety of Klamath County employees and contractors.
Utility work with intermittent lane closures is planned for the Stearns Elementary School area on Crest Street from Clinton to Denver and Laverne Avenue from Crest to Altamont.
Bobs Excavating is scheduled to carry out storm drainage work.
Westside Road is planned to be repaired and resurfaced, and crack sealing work will take place in the Bonanza area.
Traffic control measures will be available as a guide. Drivers should use alternate routes if possible.
Flag stations will generally be installed at the end of the work zone and delays will be zero to 20 minutes for the motorized public. The goal of the prefecture is to minimize delay for the motoring public.
There may be adjustments to work schedules due to weather or other factors beyond the control of the County, such as equipment failure or availability of materials/resources, etc.
For more information, call the Department of Public Works at 541-883-4696.
A US Air Force F-15D is removed from an Office of Reclamation irrigation canal at the south end of the runway at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls on Friday.
A US Air Force F-15D is removed from an Office of Reclamation irrigation canal at the south end of the runway at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls on Friday.The aircraft was involved in a ground accident following a routine training mission on May 14, 2023. During landing, the aircraft left the paved runway surface and came to rest in the canal.
To assist in the removal of the aircraft, the Reclamation Office lowered the water in the canal to allow the Aircraft Accident and Disability Recovery Team to access the aircraft attachment points to remove the crane.
Col. Micah Lambert, deputy commander of the 173rd FW, also noted that the wing conducted routine water sampling after the accident. He said that only traces of oil were detected in the immediate vicinity of the aircraft and were contained using multiple absorbent booms, as well as hard booms to prevent potential container collapse.
The aircraft was assigned to the 173rd Fighter Wing and had one crew member on board. The F-15 training pilot was taken to Sky Lakes Medical Center for evaluation, where he was released the same day with minor injuries.
The accident is currently being reviewed by a Safety Board of Investigation and additional updates will be posted as they become available.
In December, the City of Lakeview notified the public that it was the victim of two fraudulent financial transactions..
Upon learning of the fraudulent transactions, political leaders immediately activated an incident response team to investigate the fraudulent transactions, assess the extent of the transactions, and ensure technology and policies are in place to prevent future fraudulent transactions. City administrators also notified the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lake County Sheriff's Office, and other relevant authorities.
The Lakeview investigation is now complete. The investigation found that the city was the victim of two targeted phishing attacks. Phishing attacks are designed to trick people into clicking links that install malware and expose sensitive data. Internal networks and systems were compromised when one or more city employees clicked on the perpetrator's emails. With sensitive information, the attacker was able to successfully impersonate two separate vendors, funneling payment for two legitimate invoices totaling just over $200,000 into their bank accounts.
Lakeview has now installed antiphishing software to protect the city and mitigate potential indicators of compromise. In addition, they have implemented multi-factor authentication to provide a layer of defense in case a threat compromises Lakeview's system and/or credentials. Lakeview has also created a more secure financial transaction authentication process. Going forward, city leaders will use a comprehensive IT security infrastructure to ensure the security of Lakeview's networks and systems.
Around the state of Oregon
Family of four rescued from Rogue River after Canoe Flip
Grants Pass, OR - On May 27, 2023, multiple units from the Grants Pass Fire, Rural Metro Fire, AMR-Josephine County, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a family of four who had overturned a canoe on the Rogue. River near Chinook Park, east of Grants Pass.
The four occupants were thrown downstream and ended up at different points along the river. A rescue boat from the Grants Pass Fire's Parkway Fire Station was able to launch from Chinook Park and bring the occupants safely to shore. Sheriff's Office Deputy Marines provided support in the operation.
The four occupants were not wearing life jackets and were later taken to hospital due to exposure to the cold water temperature.
This incident serves as a reminder to all who seek recreation on the local rivers to be aware of strong currents and cold water. Life jackets should always be worn when boating in the event of an accident like this where you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, especially potentially unstable vessels like canoes or kayaks.
Here are some additional safety tips to keep in mind when boating on the Rogue River:
- Always wear a life jacket.
- Check the weather forecast before you go and learn about river conditions.
- Never navigate alone.
- Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Be aware of your surroundings and avoid hazards like rocks, trees, and other boats.
- Prepare for the unexpected.
Oregon National Guard participates in Memorial Day ceremonies across the state
Citizen Soldiers and Airmen of the Oregon National Guard participated in several Memorial Day community events on May 29, 2023, honoring service members who died for their country at ceremonies throughout the state of Oregon.
In Beaverton, the American Legion Post 124 hosted its annual Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park with Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, US Representative Suzanne Bonamici, Oregon's 1st congressional district, Mayor Lacey Beaty and the keynote speaker for the ceremony, the Oregon National Guard. Hofford, commander of the 142nd Wing, was among the guests who addressed the audience.
"My father served our country in Korea in the military, his service formed my admiration and respect for those who serve and their families who support them," Governor Kotek said. "Today across our great state, across our great nation, people come together in memory of our lost loved ones and honor the bravery of our fallen members."
Before becoming governor earlier this year, Kotek served as Speaker of the House for more than nine years. She recalled meeting with family members of fallen Oregon service members, who remember her in a resolution.
“Each time, I was drawn to these life stories of young Oregonians who went to the big world for their country and never came back. It's Oregon, and I won't forget their stories."
Also in attendance was Larry Wittmayer, Commander of the Oregon American Legion Chapter, as the ceremony featured the Post 185 American Legion Band, who played music during the hour-long ceremony.
Addressing the audience, Hofford traced the origins of those who lost their lives in the nation's wars since the country's founding.
"More than 1,275,000 Americans have died in wars and conflicts since 1775," he said, addressing the audience during the lunchtime rally. "History has reminded us so many times that freedom is not justly won, easily acquired or maintained, and must be continually protected by each generation."
At the end of the ceremony, Battery "A" of the Oregon Army National Guard's 2-218 Field Artillery fired a howitzer salute.
A team of the Joint Service Honor Guard and other Oregon Soldiers and Airmen participated in a Memorial Day ceremony at Willamette National Cemetery in Clackamas. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden addressed the crowd, noting that "Americans always get it right... after they've tried everything else," a phrase attributed to Winston Churchill during World War II.
During a Memorial Day ceremony in Medford, the Oregon Army National Guard Honor Guard performed a flag folding ceremony for a family member of a fallen service member, held at Memory Gardens Memorial Park. Across the state, the 142nd Wing and 173rd Fighter Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard flew patriotic ceremonies and parades in more than a dozen cities and towns.
Oregon police officers killed 23 people in the line of duty in 2022, according to the state's first use-of-force report.
Lawmakers discussed a summary of the report, which has not yet been released, on Wednesday in the Judicial Senate. The report, written by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, does not discuss whether police use of force was justified or followed established policy.
Instead, the report presents an analysis of how often police used force, whether it resulted in injury or death, and how many police departments in Oregon comply with a 2021 state law that requires them to report data on police incidents. use of force by the police. The data is sent to the Oregon State Police and forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The report shows that Oregon had 58 incidents of violence in 2022, and 23 of those, less than half, involved deaths. The others were injured or the officers fired their weapons. The incidents occurred in rural and urban areas.
Police use of force has gained national attention with calls for accountability and more transparency in recent years. The 2020 death of George Floyd, a black man killed by a Minneapolis police officer, sparked a national reckoning over police and race.
In Portland, the city settled a federal lawsuit for $250,000 in 2022 after the police office used tear gas and other crowd control tactics during the city's 2020 protests.the Associated Press reported.
Josephine County deputies and Oregon State Troopers in southern Oregon were cleared of wrongdoing after they shot and killed a man at an Interstate 5 rest stop in September 2022. In that case, the man shot officers and shot a woman, according to media reports. . Incidents of violence involve a variety of situations. They may involve death, serious injury to a person, or the discharge of a firearm. Ninety percent of the people involved resisted officers in a variety of ways, including disobeying orders, making threats, using a firearm or running away, according to the report.
Most of the people involved in the incidents were white males, and in 64% of cases, officers were responding to illegal or suspicious activity. In the remaining cases, officers made traffic stops, issued warrants, or made other types of calls.
Ninety-six police officers were involved in the incidents and seven of them were injured.
The majority of police and sheriff agencies in Oregon (92%) have complied with the state's data reporting requirement. These are 137 police services. All major agencies with more than 100 officers reported figures.
Kelly Officer, director of investigations for the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, told lawmakers she was not aware of any incidents of violence that went unreported.
State officials are working to get information from the non-compliant agencies, a dozen of them, they report.
Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene and chair of the committee, said he was pleased with the high level of compliance in the first year and suggested that future reports identify agencies that are not complying with the law. (FUENTE)
Governor Kotek Calls for Better Teacher Preparation to Boost Early Literacy
Salem, Oregon—As part of her continued efforts to increase literacy rates in Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek announced today that she will form a panel to develop recommendations for raising the bar on preparing elementary school teachers to teach reading and writing.
Executive Order 23-12 establishes the Early Literacy Teacher Preparation Council, which will be appointed and operational this summer. Governor Kotek is directing this board to develop recommendations to strengthen the standards that the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) uses to approve elementary teacher preparation programs and licensure elementary school teachers. primary. The TSPC will use these recommendations to adopt new rules next year.
"Literacy is the foundation for learning, but too many students are not receiving the intentional support and literacy experiences they need," said Governor Kotek. "We can and must do more to prepare new teachers to teach all students to read and write."
The Council will be comprised of no more than 20 members, including teachers, elementary school principals, representatives of educational readiness programs, early literacy experts, teachers, and bipartisan appointees from the Oregon House and Senate.
The Council's recommendations to revise the teacher and principal preparation program standards for literacy instruction must be received no later than December 15. These recommendations should be aligned with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Early Literacy Framework for kindergarten through fifth grade. Instruction must be based on culturally responsive instructional practices, informed by research derived from the science of reading and writing, and designed for students with disabilities and emergent bilingual learners.
In addition, the Board must develop recommendations by March 30, 2024 to revise elementary teacher licensing requirements. These recommendations are expected to be submitted to the TSPC for rulemaking no later than June 30, 2024. This work will include a focus on literacy instruction for K-5 students.
Applications to join the council can be submittedhereuntil Friday June 23.
In conjunction with the formation of the Council, Governor Kotek worked with Representative Jason Kropf (D-Bend) to develop House Bill 3198, which aims to invest at least $140 million in culturally specific literacy strategies. responsive and evidence-based in and out of the classroom. The bill has bipartisan support and is currently in the Joint Ways and Means Committee.
𝟳𝗞 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘Near Venice𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘
Firefighters continued cleanup efforts overnight#7KFire, located about 10 miles southwest of Veneta. Last night saw the end of night shifts in the incident as crews have completed all the work they can safely do after dark. As of this morning, perimeter lines on the fire remain 100% and the fire is now considered 15% contained. It is still estimated to be 300 acres and the cause is under investigation.
Overnight, windy conditions until midnight kept the fire active but helped crews easily identify areas where more work was needed, as shown in the photo below. When the winds died down in the early morning hours, fire activity stopped, allowing resources to focus several hours on cleanup operations. Perimeters are swept 25 feet inside most of the line, except for an extremely steep section on the east side of the fire.
Tuesday's shift will pick up where they left off and continue to push the fire inland, extinguishing hotspots that have the potential to flare up in hot and windy conditions. Temperatures will be slightly cooler today which will help keep fire behavior to a minimum, however winds are still forecast. The resources allocated to today's fire are the same as on Monday's shift, with a total of about 300 people working on the incident. One Type 3 helicopter remains assigned to the fire, and additional aircraft may be ordered as needed.
The rest of the work is on steep terrain that gets more difficult from here. Safety is a top priority as firefighters work deeper inside. Downed trees and debris continue to be a major concern and medical personnel are on-site and ready to respond quickly if needed. So far, no injuries have been reported in this incident.
Perkins Peninsula County Park remains closed to the public and is being used for firefighting resources.
Grants Awarded for Main Street Projects Statewide
Salem, Oregon—Oregon Heritage, a division of the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation, awarded 27 matching grants worth nearly $5,000,000 to Oregon Main Street Network organizations across the state for construction projects that encourage revitalization economic. Projects range from façade improvements to basic facilities and homes with awards ranging from $62,930 to $200,000.
The department funded applications that best communicated the ability to stimulate private investment and local economic development, fit into the community's long-term plan for downtown vitality, and the needs of the community. Main Street Oregon Coordinator Sheri Stuart noted, “We have seen the impact of these funds that local Main Street organizations have brought to their communities on projects to date. We are excited to support this new round of projects and the potential to strengthen and support downtowns across the state."
Funded projects include:
• Several projects will address a variety of maintenance needs, from window repair to electrical and plumbing, including projects in Downtown Baker City, City of Reedsport, City of Maupin, Downtown Medford Association, Downtown Klamath Falls Association, District Oregon Economic Development Agency for projects in Wallowa, the Oregon Border Chamber of Commerce for a project in Spray, and the Weston Area Development Association.
• Several projects involved residential additions or improvements, including projects by the Downtown Albany Association, the Downtown Independence Association, the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District for a project in Enterprise, the Salem Main Street Association, and Alliance St. Helens Main Street.
• Façade restoration projects from the cities of Cornelius, Maupin, North Bend and Woodburn, Friends of La Grande Main Street, Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce for a project in Condon and The Dalles Main Street.
• Approval of roof and frame preparation projects for the Downtown Albany Association, the Downtown Astoria Historic District Association, the Downtown Dallas Association, and the Downtown McMinnville Association.
• Harney County Opportunity Team and Downtown Pendleton Association projects will increase and improve housing options.
• New construction in Dayton will be financed.
The grant program was created during the 2015 legislative session and placed with the Oregon State Office of Historic Preservation. The legislation created a permanent fund for the Oregon Main Streets Revitalization Grant and provided an initial infusion of funds from the sale of lottery bonds. The Legislature included the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant in the lottery bond package approved in 2021. If funded by the 2023 state Legislature, there will be future rounds of grants in the 24-25 biennium. Funds will be used to award grants to participating Oregon Main Street Network organizations to purchase, rehabilitate or construct buildings to facilitate community revitalization. The program also requires that at least 50 percent of the funds go to rural communities, as defined in the bill.
For more information on the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant or the Oregon Main Street Network, visitwww.oregonheritage.orgor contact Kuri Gill atKuri.gill@oprd.oregon.govo 503-986-0685. —https://www.oregon.gov/newsroom/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=144041
Officer Involved in Shooting - Press Release fromMedford Police Department.
Saturday May 27 in the afternoontuof 2023 at approximately 6:45 p.m. m., the Medford Police Department received a call from residents of the 1500 block of Angelcrest Drive reporting a burglary in progress. The caller reported that an unknown male was armed with a firearm and was entering and removing property from a vacant home.
Multiple Medford Police officers responded to the area with the first officer arriving on scene within 6 minutes of the initial call. 11 minutes after the officers arrived, it was announced over the radio that the officers had fired. The suspect received significant assistance from police officers at the scene before medical personnel arrived. The suspect was taken to a local hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.
The Major Assaults and Deaths Investigation Unit (MADIU) was activated and went to the scene. This team is made up of investigators and attorneys from the Medford Police Department, the Oregon State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, and the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. Per protocols, the Oregon State Police will be the lead investigative agency in this case. At this time, the names of the officers and the suspect have not been released.
Any media inquiries regarding the criminal investigation should be directed to the Oregon State Police.
JUNE 3 AT 5 AM – JUNE 4 AT 9 PM
Everyone can fish, clam and crab for free in Oregon on Saturday and Sunday of the first weekend in June.
No fishing/seafood licenses or tags (including a combo fishing tag or Columbia River Basin endorsement or two-rod endorsement) are required on these two days (June 3-4, 2023). Both Oregon residents and non-residents can fish for free. Oregon State Parks is also offering free parking and camping on Saturday, June 3.
All other fishing regulations apply, including closures, bag limits, and size restrictions. See the Oregon Sport Fishing Rules (https://www.eregulations.com/oregon) for the rules. Remember to check for any season regulation changes on the Recreation Report (https://myodfw.com/recreation-report/fishing-report) especially for salmon and rainbow trout fishing. Click on the area where you want to fish, then click on the "Regulation Updates" tab to view changes to the season.
The Recreation Report is updated weekly and includes the best catch for the coming week.
Expect plenty of additional rainbow trout to be stocked in Oregon lakes for the weekend. more fish are stocked in the next two weeks (Memorial Day and the June Free Fishing Weekend) than at any other time of the year. See the trout breeding program (https://myodfw.com/fishing/species/trout/stocking-schedule) For more information.
It's also a great weekend to try the clam or clams. This year, the June fishing-free days coincide with a negative tide (with coastal ebb dropping below the average low water mark by a foot or two), creating ideal conditions for walleye.MiODFW.comIt has all the information you need to start fishing or crabbing, including location maps and directions.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture regularly tests shellfish and closes areas when natural biotoxins reach levels that make crabs and clams unsafe to eat. As of today, razorfish are open from Tillamook Head (just south of Seaside) north to the Washington border, but closed south of Tillamook towards the California border due to elevated domoic acid levels. Crabbing is open all along the coast.
Closures can happen quickly and can change before Free Fishing Weekend. Remember to call the ODA Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 or check the shellfish page (https://www.oregon.gov/…/pages/shellfishclosures.aspx) before you leave.
ODFW staff and various fishing organizations will host events across the state during Free Fishing Weekend, bringing all the tools beginners need to get started. Staff and volunteers will hand out fishing tackle and be on hand to teach you how to bait, cast, land and clean your catch.
Events are held at the following events and times, see the Family Fishing Events page (https://myodfw.com/…/eventos-de-pesca-en-familia-pesca-gratis…) For more information.
Saturday June 3
• Alsea, Oregon Hatchery Research Center, 7 a. m. a 2 p. m.
• Camp Sherman, Wizard Falls Hatchery, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. m. at noon (for children under 10 years old)
• Enterprise, Marr Pond, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. m. at noon
• Stockade, Small Fry Lake, Promontory Park, from 10 a. m. a 3 p. m. (for under 17s)
• Eugene, Parque Alton Baker, 9 a. m. – 14:00
• Gaston, lago Henry Hagg, de 7 a. m. a 5 p. m.
• Silverton en Silverton Reservoir, de 8 a. m. a 3 p. m.
• Sutherlin, Cooper Creek Reservoir, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. m. to 4 p.m. m.
• Toledo, Olalla Reservoir, from 9 am to 1 pm.
• Ukiah, Twin Ponds, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. m. at noon. Please note that trophy trout will not be stocked for this event due to disease problems with these trout. other legal size trout will be stocked.
Sunday, June 4
• Lake Marie, Reedsport, noon to 5 p.m. m.
Six Tips to Keep Campfires Safe and Enjoyable This Season
Gathering around the fire is a highlight for many visitors to Oregon state parks. By following some basic guidelines, you can enjoy this tradition safely and reduce the risk of injury and fire.
Fire is a real danger in Oregon despite a wet and snowy spring. That's why the number 1 precaution you can take is to follow posted fire restrictions. From time to time, campfires and other open flames may be prohibited at campgrounds or on the beach.
Restrictions can occur at any time and with little warning, depending on the circumstances. Be sure to research the conditions in the area near which you are camping before you head out. Fire restrictions may apply at the park, county or state level.HeOregon State Parks websitewill post the latest information on fires in state parks.
Restrictions may apply even though the park is far from wildfires. When wildfires break out, emergency services and firefighters must be on the front lines. We ask campers to do their part to ensure that a camp emergency does not detract from the statewide firefighting effort.
"If you're camping with children or others who are new to outdoor recreation, it's especially important to review your fire safety practices," said Chris Havel, deputy director of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). "If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to a warden or camp host."
OPRD offers these six tips for a safe and enjoyable campfire:
- Keep the flames of the fire knee-high (no more than 2 feet high). A smaller flame prevents embers from flying up into trees or dry vegetation. If you see the wind stirring the coals, play it safe and put out the fire.
- At a state park campground, build campfires only in the existing fire ring at your campground. Fire rings are placed in areas with neutral zones and away from vegetation.
- Always have plenty of water on hand to put out the fire safely. Douche the flames with water and stir the coals to make sure everything is moist. The stirring step is important: ashes and wood debris often retain heat. Repeat these steps until the fire no longer emits heat.
- Beach fires should be on open sand and away from driftwood or vegetation and use only natural wood, rather than pallets or anything else that may have hidden nails or screws. Slowly pour water over the beach fire to put it out. Pouring water too quickly can cause hot sand to fly up. Do not 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 days later.
- For propane fire rings, follow the same safety precautions as you would with a log-based fire. Use of propane fire rings may be restricted based on local conditions.
- Make sure everyone at your camp is familiar with camping safety, including children. Always keep an eye on your scout's fire. Many accidental fires are caused by campers leaving their campfires unattended for "just a minute."
In addition to keeping your fire safe, it's also important to make sure your wood is free of invading insects to protect our forests from deadly pests.emerald ash borerand other pests. Do not carry firewood out of the area. Buy local firewood within 10 miles of your destination or purchase certified heat-treated firewood.
During May, the Oregon Department of Forestry, Office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal, Office of Emergency Management, Keep Oregon Green, US Forest Service, OPRD, and other emergency agencies and teams Federal, state, and local response programs encourage the public to work together with local communities to prevent fire risk.
Information on recreation and fire safety can be found atkeeporegongreen.org. Visitstateparks.oregon.govfor information on Oregon parks, includingfire restrictions and safety instructions.