High temps to bring an increase in fire danger…
An excessive heat warning for much of western Oregon will remain in effect through at least Friday as temperatures away from the coastal strip are expected to reach the 90s and into the 100s for areas including Portland, Salem and Eugene. Coastal temperatures are expected to range from the mid 60s in the Florence area, to the 80s in Lincoln and Tillamook Counties. Forecasters with the National Weather Service say people should watch for heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
The high temperatures are also bringing an increase in fire danger. The Siuslaw National Forest and Oregon State Forestry have instituted a “Level II” fire danger because of unstable conditions and the potential for a shortage of firefighting resources. Many of those resources are already deployed to wildfires on the east side of the cascades. No new fires are currently reported on state protected lands, but crews have been making progress on four large fires on federal lands. The 432-thousand acre Holloway Fire on rangeland in southeast Oregon is 68-percent contained. The 60-thousand acre Barry Point fire near Lakeview is 25-percent contained, as is the 3450 acre Fort Complex in Klamath County. The 250 acre Buckhead Complex of fires near Oakridge is 50-percent contained.
Lane County Commissioners opted yesterday to hold off on asking voters to decide whether or not to levy an increased property tax to pay for public safety. That’s despite polling that shows good support for a modest levy. Time was running short to prepare a ballot title and submit a voters pamphlet statement on a tax proposal. Commissioners decided rather than rush onto the ballot, they would get more input and consider asking voters for more money in the spring.
Students at area schools will return to the classroom in less than three weeks. That means officials are asking new and returning students to register this week or next week. Siuslaw Elementary and Primary schools have been enrolling kindergarten through fifth graders this week… they’ll wrap up at 5:30 this afternoon. At Siuslaw Middle and High Schools registration is open next week. Incoming seniors can register Tuesday morning; juniors in the afternoon. Wednesday will be for Sophomores and Freshmen, then Thursday, August 23rd is for new students. Classes for most grades K-through-six, and incoming freshmen, begin Tuesday, September Fourth at Siuslaw. Everybody is due back on Wednesday the 5th.
Coast Guard Station Umpqua River in Winchester Bay will be holding their third annual canned food drive between now and November 15th. It’s called the “Thunderwater 3000” and for every canned or non-perishable item collected at the station, a local Coast Guardsman will run, bike or swim one mile. Petty Office Ben Snider says their goal is to collect three-thousand items and log three-thousand miles. The Umpqua River Station is at 335 Beach Boulevard in Winchester Bay… Donations will go to local food banks.