Smoky Days in Florence
Calls rang out to Lane County yesterday as a thick layer of haze coated the area. One caller here to Coast radio asked if there was a reported fire near Cushman as they smelled the smoke. But fire officials said it was a definite result from the Chetco Bar Fire reaching us. Chief Jim Langborg with Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue says that the damage that the Chetco Bar Fire is causing is a reminder that the dangers exist not only in the mountain regions of the state.
“One of the things that really comes to my mind with this fire is that a lot of times people think that because we live on the coast we are immune to wild fires and we are not.”
Langborg also says that this can be a huge wake up call for coastal cities and that the culture of preparedness is not something that has completely sunken in. While it is not always the case, precautions can often be taken to severely limit the damaging effects of wild fire.
“These types of things can happen on our community and we need to be aware and people need to make sure their homes are prepared so that if we do have something it can be saved.”
Warmer, dryer weather has wreaked havoc on the Chetco Bar fire and it has also made Western Lane County more vulnerable to the potential for fire. Currently there are over 1400 firefighters fighting the largest fire in the United States. The fire has been burning since July 12th.
Benefit For Malakai
Saturday evening the Florence community came together to support Malakai, the 11 year old who is currently suffering from a rare immune deficiency disease. The Florence Event Center was packed with supporters who helped to raise over $5000.00 dollars to help pay medical expenses. The event featured 3 of the C.R.O.W. kids, a singer-songwriter from San Francisco, Megan Slankard, and the Buck and a Quarter Band. In addition there were many donated items for a silent auction. There is also a fund set up at Oregon Pacific Bank for people to continue to assist. Malakai is in the initial stages of receiving his bone marrow transplant at the Oregon Health Science University in Portland.
Wreck Slows Traffic
A wreck on highway 101 near MilePost 180 yesterday afternoon delayed traffic as emergency responders rushed to the area. A vehicle towing a trailer wrecked causing southbound traffic to back up. There were no injuries and the vehicle was quickly moved out of the path of traffic.
Dune City Appoints New Mayor
Dune City Councilor Robert Forsythe is the new mayor of Dune City. In their Thursday afternoon meeting there was only one nomination and unanimous approval. After Forsythe’s swearing in as Mayor, the council heard arguments for and against the operations of a medical marijuana facility within the jurisdiction of the city. The debate was heated on both sides of the issue. After hearing from the community and the owner of the facility the Council decided to postpone a resolution for a future meeting.
