05 August 2015
Offshore algae bloom far larger than originally feared
A vast bloom of toxic algae off the Pacific Coast is denser, more widespread, and deeper than scientists feared even weeks ago. That’s according to researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The bloom, as much as 40-miles wide and up to 650 feet deep, stretches from California to Alaska. It’s flourishing amid unusually warm Pacific Ocean temperatures.
So-called “red tides” are cyclical and they have happened many times before. But, ocean researchers say this one is much larger and persisting much longer. It contains levels of neurotoxins that are bringing severe consequences for the Pacific seafood industry.
Vera Trainer, a research oceanographer with the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle says the algae bloom… also known as “the blob” is an “indication of an imbalance”. She added it’s the worst she’s seen in 20 years of study.
Fort Stevens fire devours brush, beach grass and driftwood
Approximately 27-acres of brush and beach grass were consumed by fire Monday evening at Fort Stevens State Park near the mouth of the Columbia River. Crews continued to work yesterday to contain the fire. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire.
The fire was two miles north of the campground at the sprawling park, but nobody had to be evacuated.
Ground crews had to pack in and use available water in nearby ponds to work on containing the blaze. An Oregon Department of Forestry helicopter also helped douse the flames.
Crews will continue to work on mopping up today, but forestry and park officials say the fire was a good reminder to be careful.
Catch a ride, bend an ear
It will cost you a buck, but if you have something you want to share with Florence Mayor Joe Henry, you can catch up with him tomorrow while he rides the Rhody Express.
The “Ride with a Councilor” has a two-fold purpose. The first is to provide access to elected officials on the first Thursday of each month. Henry and council members have been taking turns riding the bus each month.
The second is to draw attention to the low-cost transportation service in Florence. The Rhody Express runs on a two-hour schedule; alternating between north and south loops every hour.
The schedule is available at the city’s website, at city hall and the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center.
Henry will ride Thursday from 1:30 to 3:30.
Culvert replacement to temporarily close road
Stagecoach Road between Swisshome and Highway 126 will be closed two days next week while crews work on replacing a culvert.
Lane County Public Works Supervisor Richard Perkins said the road will be closed four miles east of Swisshome Tuesday and Wednesday between 7:30 am and 4:30 PM. He said access to the east end of Stagecoach Road can be gained by taking Highway 126 to Richardson Road, then onto Stagecoach.
Disaster preparation focus on Coast Radio’s Our Town
Scientists and researchers first began seeing evidence of past seismic activity coupled with devastating tsunamis in the Northwest about 50 years ago. Those quakes had been occurring off and on for thousands of years.
Interest in finding more about them stepped up in the early 1990s and then reached a peak after a huge quake and tsunami killed thousands in Indonesia in 2005.
Directly following that event, local officials created a consortium of public agencies that have been actively planning and preparing for a possible magnitude 9 earthquake just off the Oregon Coast.
The West Lane Emergency Operations Group has been meeting every month and has laid a groundwork for response to not only a possible Cascadia Subduction Zone quake, but also to any other large scale disaster.
Several key members of that group will be on Our Town this afternoon. The program is on KCST from four to six pm. It airs again tomorrow on KCFM from ten until noon.
Fire danger eases, but concern still exists
Temperatures moderated and the humidity rose, but that doesn’t mean firefighters are letting their guard down.
Fire Chief Jim Langborg said fire restrictions in the Siuslaw Valley have eased somewhat, but you still need to be careful. You can, though, mow your lawn… if it’s green.
Jim Langborg – “If you’ve got green grass in the city and you don’t have a tree canopy over you, you’re going to be fine cutting your grass. If you are in an unincorporated area where you’re in a wooded area and you’re trying to mow down or weed-whack cured grass; don’t want you to do that because obviously the potential for starting a fire is very high.”
While fire danger along the coast may have eased somewhat, things are still hot and dry inland and resources are limited.
