Southern Oregon Wildfires Rage, More Residents Flee

KATU News ^ | August 1, 2002 | Jeff Bernard

[WaterDragon]

CAVE JUNCTION - About 500 people have either left their homes in the Illinois River Valley or told officials of their intention to do so as the largest wildfire int he Coast Range in years burned out of control.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Officeaid 400 people have evacuated their homes and registered with the Red Cross, and about 100 more have notified the police of their intent to leave

"People have been calling and offering people places to stay in their homes and pastures for their animals," said Lt. Brian Anderson with the sheriff's office.

Most of the 17,000 residents in the valley have chosen to stay in their homes as firefighters try to quell the Florence and Sour Biscuit Fires burning on the Siskiyou National Forest in the southwestern corner of Oregon.

Holding the top priority in the nation for scarce resources, fire commanders called in more helicopters, bulldozers, hotshot crews and top-level management teams.

In all, three of the nation's 16 top-level management teams are on the Biscuit Complex.

Fifteen major wildfires were burning on more than 423,000 acres in Oregon on Thursday, battled by 13,000 firefighters.

Click here for complete article

[Grampa Dave]

Here is an earlier thread on this situation with maps, weather, NOAA reports, reports from cities around the Illinois River Fire, NW California Newspapers, and several Freepers:

(Earlier FR Thread on this severe fire in SW Oregon with close to 80 replies)

[WaterDragon]

Thanks for the link, GD. This KATU article came online just a few minutes ago.

[Grampa Dave]

Funny as this report sounds like things have gone to hell, and the other reports sound like for once the fire fighters are having a good day.

Lets hope so!

[WaterDragon]

This article doesn't say the situation has gone to hell so much as it talks about the differing decisions of people to deal with the fire so near. One thing was very nice....people away from fire area offering to people in its path shelter as well as pastures for their animals. Good old Oregon neighborliness during this crisis.

[Grampa Dave]

This was what I was referring to this headline:

Southern Oregon Wildfires Rage, More Residents Flee.

The reality is that the Fires aren't/weren't raging as bad as previous days. Also, very few residents since the early leavers have left.

The live reporter on Lars at this moment just reported that as of 2 pm to day, the backfires have been set without problem of a large fire roaring back.

[WaterDragon]

I see your point. Though it sounds from what you say, the fires are closer to being under control, it does sound as though some people are choosing to leave the area. Can't say I blame them. The smoke must be terrible. Of course for some illnesses that's enough.

[WaterDragon]

bttt

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Maybe the worst is over for the moment!

The Register had pictures in several different sections and commentary .
So the news is getting to us about it here in SoCal!.

[backhoe]

A link to this story will go out in the next mass email.

[WaterDragon]

Thanks, backhoe. Oregonians are pulling together. The fires are still blazing, lives and property are still in danger, but the firefighters are doing a really good job, everything they can think of, to slow this evil dragon down.

[AuntB]

In the midst of all this smoke, PLEASE don't forget the following bill being pushed (in silence) through congress to end ALL logging on national forests. Please contact your reps!! Especially LEACH! I understand "Arab money McKinney", but what is up with Leach. All the enviro's are pushing this iniative in letters to editors, TV and radio every day. We must let them know what we think...because they are!! Remember, those who show up run the world.......

From Ms. McKinney's home site:http://www.house.gov/mckinney/hl/nfppa.htm (Barf and Big Fat Liar ALERT!)

The National Forest Protection and Restoration Act (HR 1396)

One-hundred and one years ago, in 1897, Congress made a very unwise decision. A rider was attached to the Interior Appropriations bill, opening national forests to timber sales for the first time. Before that they were protected. The result has been habitat destruction, agency corruption and lawlessness, floods, mudslides and enormous losses to taxpayers. In 1990, National Geographic estimated that over 95% of America's old-growth forests have been cut down and hauled to the mill. More recent reports estimate that 97% has been logged. If we do not act now, soon our children and grandchildren may have little or no opportunity to visit these pristine areas. Furthermore, according to an independent study, later deemed accurate by the Congressional Research Service, the U.S. Forest Service spent $791 million in taxpayer dollars to subsidize timber companies in their efforts to destroy our natural heritage. Not one dollar was returned to the treasury.

In an effort to stop this environmentally destructive and fiscally irresponsible practice, Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and Congressman Leach (R-IA) introduced the National Forest Protection and Restoration Act (HR 2789). This important legislation would stop logging on the national forests, and redirect these subsidies into worker retraining, revenue-sharing payments for counties, and grants for development of tree-free paper and construction alternatives.

The National Forest Protection and Restoration Act makes perfect economic, as well as environmental sense. By no longer subsidizing the logging industry, we could provide more than $25,000 in worker retraining for each public lands timber employee and still have more than $200 million left over to reduce the federal deficit in the first year alone. By stopping logging in national forests, these areas could be used for recreational use. The United States Forest Service reported that the recreational industry provides 30 times as many jobs and 30 times as much income as logging. So, converting these areas to recreational use would not only preserve them, but would contribute to the growing popularity of camping, hiking, hunting and fishing.

[AuntB]

Bump!!! And a prayer!

[justshe]

Thanks, Aunt B!

If that isn't the biggest bunch of B.S. I have EVER seen. I know for a fact, that recreational use on the the Nat'l forests brings in a FRACTION of the monies that logging does. Additionally.....here's a little scam for you...Concessioning OUT the campgrounds....better known as privatization.

Concessionaires bid on the job. Fine
Contract is awarded. Fine
Joe and Sue Smith have to call the national reservation system to make a reservation. (This is NOT a concession service.......it is a flat out AWARD with NO bidding.) Most of the time the reservation system doesn't tell Joe and Sue Smith that although "Flat Rock" campground has 200 campsites...and the Reservation Service only takes reservations for 100 campsites, and they are full, that Joe and Sue can STILL come and camp because there are 100 sites that are first come, first serve. MONEY LOST!!!!

But..........let's say that Joe and Sue are lucky enough to get a reservation. They will pay a fee of $7.00 per night ABOVE the standard camping fee..........JUST for the Reservation Service.

Now............all the $$$$ that USED to go to the USFS for the campgrounds.........well, that's gone. Because, you see, the Concessionaire who runs the campground now....pays only 2-4 percent of their GROSS to the USFS as a licensing fee. That's right. Hell of a deal, huh? But.......it gets better!

Because.....you see, the USFS still has to do ALL of the maintenance/repair of the campground. Hazard trees.........restroom clean-up....water systems management...fire-pit repair....road maintenance. I think you get the idea! ALL the Concessionaire has to do to get 96 to 98 percent of the revenue.......is put a person there to assign the campsite and take the money.

Sweet deal, no? The taxpayer is getting major hosed.

This is PART of the reason I go ballistic whenever I hear people say that concessioning is the way to go...no ifs, ands..or butts. Sometimes, it is simply NOT the truth.

But.........back to the topic. IF this bill were to be passed.....you need to know that the enviros want recreation severely restricted in ALL national forests. A conundrum, I would say.

Sorry about the rant.

[backhoe]

A link to this will go out in a few minutes in the next mass email.

[WaterDragon]

Excellent, excellent reminder, AB! Thanks for posting it!

[blackie]

A front is moving in this weekend, maybe we'll get some precipitation...

Stop the attacks by the wacko, extreme left-wing, enviro-nazis terrorist's on our Freedoms !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Molon Labe !!

[blackie]

Stop the attacks by the congresscritters and wacko, extreme left-wing, enviro-nazis terrorist's on our Freedoms !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Molon Labe !!

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you AuntB for the ping. We were in Oregon two weeks ago, it is so beautiful. It breaks my heart to see this happening. Thank you for the information as always I learn so very much from you. Thank you.((( hug )))

[WaterDragon]

I really hope that front brings lots of rain!