Forest Service Chief Calls for Controlled Burns, while in Oregon

KGW TV/AP ^ | 09 August 2002 | Jeff Barnard

[Grampa Dave]

Forest Service Chief Calls for Controlled Burns 08/09/2002

By JEFF BARNARD, Associated Press Writer

U.S. Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth toured the Florence Fire Thursday and said it is imperative to thin national forests and restore the natural role of fire in the ecosystem.

Bosworth said he wanted a firsthand look at the largest active wildfire in the nation, to see how well the national firefighting effort is dealing with what could become the worst wildfire season in history.

"The most important thing we can do in a good part of the West is doing some thinning and reintroduce fire back into these fire-dependent ecosystems in a controlled manner," Bosworth said.

The National Fire Information Center reports 5 million acres have burned in the country this year, including more than 715,000 acres in Oregon.

The Florence Fire has grown to 296,000 acres on the Siskiyou National Forest and adjoining lands in southwestern Oregon and northern California.

The threat to the 17,000 people of the Illinois Valley has eased, but the fire continues to threaten the community of Agness in the Rogue River Canyon and the Wilderness Retreat subdivision east of Brookings.

To date, $27.2 million has been spent fighting the fire, though it is only 15 percent contained. More than 5,000 people have been assembled from around the country to fight it.

Bosworth wanted to see how the money is being spent.

"We're really interested in finding out how things are working out on these fires, how well crews are working," Bosworth said.

Brian Waidmann, chief of staff to Interior Secretary Gale Norton, said he was impressed by the cooperation between federal, state and local agencies.

The $325 million budget for fighting fires this year has been spent, and the bill could run up to $1 billion, Bosworth said. Money allocated for preventing future fires has been moved to firefighting, and he hoped Congress would restore the diverted funding.

Fire commanders hope to keep the fire away from Agness on its north flank, but the blaze still has the potential to break out toward the coastal town of Brookings.

"It kind of looks like a war zone up here," said Serene Ireland, owner of the Agness RV Park about 25 miles east of Gold Beach. "We've got military trucks, Red Cross vans, all kinds of earth mover equipment, big fire trucks. It's not quiet little Agness right now."

The Florence and Sour Biscuit fires were brought together west of O'Brien by burnout operations that have consolidated and strengthened containment lines.

"That means we have a pretty solid containment line from north of Selma to the California border," said fire spokesman Mike Ferris.

Weather forecasts called for a warming and drying trend into the weekend, with winds of up to 40 mph.

Other fires burning in Oregon included:

-- Tiller Complex, 32,665 acres, Umpqua National Forest near Tiller, 25 percent contained.

-- Timbered Rock Fire, 27,145 acres, outside Shady Cove, 90 percent contained.

-- Monument Fire, 24,378 acres, outside Unity, 95 percent contained

[Grampa Dave]

Sounds like the company line adopted in 1995 by the Babbitt Floristry Circus People.

If he restricts the management to burning, not thinning by logging and removal of dead trees for wood uses, this is right out of the Enviral Take Over Agenda of the Forestry Service during the Clintoon/Babbitt era.

[Grampa Dave]

The Oregon Live is into Feel Good Things to do this weekend with no fire updates from yesterday.

This was an interesting article at the KGW Site. Jeff Barnard has done a pretty good job reporting on this fire.

Please post what you hear and see. Again that is the best way to get data.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Better to burn it at a loss than let people use it and turn a profit from it.

[Grampa Dave]

This is this morning's thread on the fire.

The Brookings area which is SW of the Fire will be cooler today. However, high winds are predicted all day from the North.

There is no real control on the west side of the fire as off yet. This could be a factor.

Appreciate your pinging on this, as it is not important to most Freepers. They had rather argue about esoteric things than the reality of two counties in Oregon being threated with a massive fire. A massive fire that is the result of miss management of burnable materials for at least a decade.

[EBUCK]

-- Timbered Rock Fire, 27,145 acres, outside Shady Cove, 90 percent contained.

My Brother just started a house in Shady Cove (started on it Saturday) glad to see that they've got a handle on it.

EBUCK

[Grampa Dave]

This is this morning's thread on the fire.

The Brookings area which is SW of the Fire will be cooler today. However, high winds are predicted all day from the North.

There is no real control on the west side of the fire as off yet. This could be a factor.

Thanks for your concern about this fire.

[Grampa Dave]

EPU posted, "Better to burn it at a loss than let people use it and turn a profit from it."

This is ultimate goal of the Green Jihadists who control our forests, national parks and wilderness areas.

They don't want a single stick of a tree to become a product that can be harvested and sold at a profit to come from our forests.

They are the true communists of the world still alive. They hate capitalism, America and Americans who work for a living. They are true Watermelons. Green on the outside and very red (communists) on the inside. You have to wonder how much of their agendas are created and driven by Old Gorby as he works in the Presido in San Francisco to weaken America via the Green Jihadists's Watermelon agendas.

[madfly]

ping

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[Grampa Dave]

Here is the forecast for Brookings. The temps are on the side of the fire fighters, but the high winds will not be:

Link to Brookings, Oregon forecast: (Weather forecast for Brookings, Or.)

[dixiechick2000]

Thanks for the update, Gramps.
I checked the KOIN 6 and KATU 2 websites. I didn't see anything at KOIN and KATU's story is pretty much the same as this one. I thought this was interesting from KATU, though.

The Florence Fire was threatening to become the largest wildfire in state history after expanding to 308,000 acres on the Siskiyou National Forest and adjoining lands in southwestern Oregon and Northern California.

The largest wildfire in Oregon was the Tillamook Fire in 1933 which burned 311,000 acres in the northwest corner of the state.

I'm off until this afternoon. See ya' soon.

[archy]

What this country really needs is a *controlled burn* in Washington.

-archy-/-

[Grampa Dave]

Gasquet California residents told to flee

Published: August 9, 2002, Crescent City Triplicate



Gusty winds pushed the Florence fire across a fire line and spread it to the trigger line which prompted the evacuation of Gasquet residents. Dixie Dies, information officer with the U.S. Forest Service, said the winds were causing some problems with the firefighting efforts. "At noon (Thursday) they were having a little trouble with the wind and difficulty flying helicopters because of it," Dies said yesterday afternoon.
The Daily Triplicate, Crescent City, California



By Kent Gray

Triplicate staff writer

Gasquet residents were ordered to leave their homes last night and head for Crescent City when the Florence Fire was suddenly aroused and began marching toward the community.

Fueled by strong dry winds, the fire jumped the fire line north of Gasquet and hit the evacuation trigger point two miles north of Gasquet – sending deputies from the Del Norte County Sheriff's Department door-to-door through the community to order the evacuation.

"The fire began moving south after picking up some smaller fuels," said Lyn Carranza of the U.S. Forest Service, a fire information official for the Florence Fire in California. "Because of the wind, some embers were landing on the trigger line and that's what the Sheriff's Department is acting on."

Captain Doug Plack said the blaze hit the trigger point at approximately 9:10 p.m.

"Sheriff (Jim) Maready said during the meetings in Gasquet that if the fire struck that trigger line we would notify the residents of the need to evacuate," Plack said. "They are being directed southbound on Highway 199 to the Crescent City area."

Although no structures were in immediate danger last night, at 10:30 p.m. Plack said the department decided to implement the evacuation as soon as possible before conditions worsened.

"The reason we are doing it tonight is because of the smoke and the nightfall," Plack said. "It's better to begin the process as early as possible rather than saying, ‘Oh, let's wait and see, and then have to move people out at 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. There is more communication available now and this way we can make sure it is an orderly process."

Plack said he hopes the department is not criticized for acting promptly, even if it is inconvenient for residents.

"People may think that we are being too cautious. I'm sorry, but we are thinking of what's best for the community and for the safety of the residents," said Plack.

Gasquet residents who were not directed by deputies last night should contact the Red Cross stationed at Crescent Elk School at 994 G Street in Crescent City if they need assistance.

The fire increased in size from 23,814 acres on Tuesday to 24,327 acres Wednesday, but until last night most of that increase was in the eastern sections.

Dixie Dies, information officer with the U.S. Forest Service, said the winds were causing some problems with the firefighting efforts.

"We are experiencing an increase in fire activity in the southeast portion," Dies said yesterday afternoon. "At noon (Thursday) they were having a little trouble with the wind and difficulty flying helicopters because of it."

---

When those strong North winds blow down over the burning inferno that used to be the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area, that will blow ashes, embers and even live fire to the south.

This is what happened yesterday and could happen all day today. The winds are from the North and will be in the 20 to 30+ range all day.

This could spread rapidly down over these small Smith River towns and over the Smith River. Then Crescent City could be at peril.

You think that the Oregon Federal Floristry Circus has some pro fire rules, the Kali Federal Pink Panty Wearing Floristry Circus makes them look like pikers. CDF will do a good job if allowed to fight the fires.

Since this area voted for GW and against Grayout Davis in the last elections, Davis will probably just ignore the fires and hope the whole county gets burnt out. Then, rural cleansing by fire will remove a lot voters against him.

[Granof8]

Del Norte county sheriff decided to "err" on side of safety, Gasquet, CA evacuated last night. Embers falling within 2 miles of Gasquet. Highway 199 still open.

Agness, Oak Flat, Wilderness retreat still on pre-evac notice.

Zone 2 Florence fire at 308,000 acres this morning and 15% contained.

Fire has broken out of Kalmiopsis wilderness.

Weather forecast not good. Inversion holding smoke down, dampering fires now. FS spokesman compares to a wood stove. Bad news when the draft is opened.

[B4Ranch]

Bluff Fire Sparks Management Plans

08/08/2002

The fire was already racing through the dry blackberries and cottonwoods behind Sharen Kasch's home on Willamette Bluff, casting an eerie shadow that flickered across her shed.

Kasch didn't even have time to pull on shoes. She grabbed a backyard hose and sprinted to fend off the flames, cringing as snakes fleeing the heat slithered over her bare feet.

A firefighting helicopter dips water from the Willamette River as the fire burns in the background. (AP File Photo)

.

The Bluff Fire swept across the Willamette Bluff a year ago, leaving behind a moonscape of blackened earth and skeletal trees. Helicopters and 170 firefighters fought the five-alarm fire alongside homeowners such as Kasch, who organized bucket brigades and confronted the fire with garden hoses.

The city is working on a long-term plan to fight fire on the bluff with native plants and with stricter building codes. But the same tangled patches of quick-burning weeds that fueled the bluff fire still exist on a couple hundred acres in Portland, botanic supervisor Andi Curtis said.

The fire turned the purple flowers of Kasch's Butterfly Tree into black sticks and covered her furniture and carpet with ash. Firefighters used so much water on her yard that a lilac bloomed in August, three months late.

All you could see was fire, she said. We couldn't see the river, we couldn't see anything. Just flames. You couldn't get near it. It came so fast, it was just unbelievable.

City Preparing Fire Rules

Fire Marshal Jim Crawford compares Portland wildfires to floods: They seem to run in cycles that nobody can predict. The Willamette Valley is wet enough to avoid the seasonal fires of Central and Southern Oregon. But some years, the moisture drops, the wind picks up, and a spark in the weeds begins to run.

The Fire Bureau expects to release a draft proposal next week that would require more fire-resistant roofs in areas most susceptible to wildfire. The rule would apply only to new or replacement roofs. We wouldn't be going in and requiring everybody to change their roofs, Crawford said.

Thousands of Portland residents live in a wildfire hazard zone, Crawford said. Most of the West Hills are at risk of wildfire, along with Rocky and Powell buttes, Mount Scott, Oaks Bottom and the Willamette Bluff.

After the Bluff Fire, city leaders also pledged to pursue land-management rules that would require homeowners to clear away underbrush. Since then, though, they have found that environmental concerns greatly complicate such plans.

Clearing away brush might weaken hillsides and hasten erosion, adding to landslide dangers. It also could worsen pollution and run afoul of endangered-species laws. Homeowners living in environmental zones need a city permit before they can begin cutting trees.

Workers hose down a charred hillside after the fire. (KGW File Photo)

The city is at least a year away from proposing land-management rules that address fire, Crawford said.

I'm not particularly pleased about that, he said. But that's the reality of converging interests between the environment and fire management. If it were just a matter of me saying, (Clear) 30 feet,that would be easy.

Native Plantings Slow Fire

The city planted native grasses on the 23 acres of bluff scorched by last summer's fire. Neighbors thought the landscape looked like Ireland this spring, with bright wildflowers scattered through the new green grass.

The planting cost $180,000 and was covered by Union Pacific Railroad, faulted for the train's spark that started the fire.

Blackberries and other non-native weeds had choked the bluff before the fire, growing in dense clusters that would tower over an adult. Those plants, packed with combustible oils and growing close together, fueled the bluff fire, City Forester Brian McNerney said.

The city's Bureau of Environmental Services is preparing a three-year project to plant oak and madron trees and open grassland along the bluff. Part of that plan involves attacking non-native weeds with herbicide to help prevent catastrophic fires, Botanic Supervisor Andi Curtis said.

City workers spray the bluff with grass seed. (KGW File Photo)

The project will cost $60,000; the city already has a $23,000 grant for it from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Metro. The city also will need the cooperation of private landowners whose yards could be affected.

But the bluff extends for miles from the project site, from the Willamette River to Canby -- hundreds of hillside acres tangled with blackberry bushes and other noxious weeds. And Curtis estimated that at least 300 acres in Portland, and probably more, have similar clusters of fire-friendly underbrush and weeds.

The city is working to identify those places where the weeds have grown too thick and have pushed out native plants. It also is looking for the money to pay for similar re-planting efforts.

The bluff fire was really a catalyst for a more-intensive management plan, McNerney said. I think there's a greater awareness in the city now. But people need to use common sense and not get overly concerned, have a knee-jerk reaction.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The amazing part to this is that they seem so calm about having "at least 300 acres in Portland, “and probably more,” have similar clusters of fire-friendly underbrush and weeds." This is FIRE SEASON !!

[Grampa Dave]

Actually we need a controlled burn in all state capitols where there is a Rat enviral governor with rat enviral state legislators as well as the beltway.

Too many conservatives have this polly anna dream that if we turn everything over to the states, everything will be fine.

Well with Davis, Kitznslobber and the ChiCom Governor of Washington, these 3 scare me as much if not more than the Feds.

[Grampa Dave]

What are they doing planting Oak and Madrone on those hills.

Madrone will explode like a thermal grenade when it gets hot. Oak dries up in the summer time and will really burn.

Oh well, if the enviralistia burn up most of Portland via their agendas, that will be some beneficial urban cleaning by fire.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for this data and enjoy the grand kids, NaNa DCMM.

The Florence Fire was threatening to become the largest wildfire in state history after expanding to 308,000 acres on the Siskiyou National Forest and adjoining lands in southwestern Oregon and Northern California.

The largest wildfire in Oregon was the Tillamook Fire in 1933 which burned 311,000 acres in the northwest corner of the state.

With this North Wind today and tomorrow, the fire will easily exceed the Tillamook Fire's total acreage burnt, which they still talk about up in that area.

Black Oregon brought to Oregonians by the Green Jihadists who hate people.

[Grampa Dave]

Here is the Kalmiopsis Weather for today: (Link to Kalmiopsis Weather forecast for today, 8 Aug 2002)

They are predicting gusts of wind over 50 MPH for today and tomorrow. There is nothing that you can do re controlling a fire with winds that high.

If they are from the north, Agness will probably be spared for now. However, the small towns along the Smith River in Kali land could be even in more peril than they were yesterday.

If the fire heads south and jumps the Smith River, this will become a two state disaster. The further south you get in Kali, the dryer and hotter it is in August.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the update. The 50 + MPH wind gusts in the former Kalmiopsis Wilderness area will open that dampener of the wood stove that used to be the Wilderness area. There is no fire screen on the chimney. The sparks and live embers will go with these gusts of wind. Winds that high can set fires miles away when hot/burning/live embers settle in unthinned trees and brush. So a few simple firelanes will not stop the fire from jumping to miles away.

You posted : Fire has broken out of Kalmiopsis wilderness.

We should now refer to it as The Former Kalmiopsis Wilderness. It is basically black and burnt by now. The roadless wilderness gift from the Watermelon Enviralists to the people of Oregon.