Date: 08/08/2012 03:59 AM
OR–1st NewsMinute/244
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) – Firefighters have been granted special permission to use mechanized equipment – helicopters and chain saws – to battle several small wildfires in a wilderness area along the Oregon-California border. Federally designated wilderness areas are generally off limits to mechanized equipment, but that restriction can be lifted for firefighting efforts.
LAKEVIEW, Ore. (AP) – A lightning-sparked wildfire about 20 miles southwest of Lakeview in south-central Oregon has grown dramatically, burning across about 1,500 acres or more than two square miles. The Barry Point Fire is burning in the Fremont-Winema National Forest and private lands. A forest supervisor says the fire is a holdover from Sunday’s lightning storm.
NORTH BEND, Ore. (AP) – Fire has destroyed a church in North Bend. Firefighters from North Bend and nearby Coos Bay responded yesterday to the blaze at the First United Methodist Church. Pastor Jerry Steele tells The World newspaper that with all the damage inside, the building “is a complete loss.” The fire marshal will begin investigating today.
BOARDMAN, Ore. (AP) – A Port of Morrow official says the northeastern Oregon port expects to soon close a deal with data hosting specialist Rackspace for a land purchase at the port. The Oregonian reports the purchase price is expected to be nearly $2 million, with the 99 acres to be used for a large data center. The port manager says the deal is expected to close within two weeks.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
