Fire Danger
A heavier than usual rainfall in Western Lane County this past spring can be a two-edge sword. Siuslaw Valley Fire Chief Michael Schick says it has kept things damp.
“Right now we’re at a low fire danger, but I think that’s just the beginning of the season.”
That’s because all that rain has prompted heavy growth of grasses and other light vegetation. Add in another environmental factor:
“You see how windy it’s been for the past couple of weeks. And that’s what really impacts us, it dries everything out.”
The combination of continued wind, plenty of sunshine and lights of dried grass means local firefighters will remain vigilant.
“We’re anticipating that it’s going to be a pretty big fire season. Hopefully we’re wrong, but I think at this time everything is pointing to that we’re going to be busy.”
Despite the low fire risk for the near future, Schick says he will be increasing staffing through the fourth of July holiday.
PeaceHealth Committed to Staff
Officials at PeaceHealth say patient care and careworker conditions are and have always been a priority for the hospital. Joseph Waltasti with PeaceHealth said in a statement yesterday. It was in response to a request for comment on the recently passed HB 2697 that will regulate how many nursing staff must be on for patients that are in the hospital. The new legislation covers both urban and rural hospitals such as Peace Harbor in Florence. Waltasti said the hospital will “work with labor partners and the state as HB 2697 is implemented.”
Pumping Gas
If you like pumping your own gas, the time is coming that you will be able to do that thanks to a recently passed bill in the Oregon legislature. But not to worry if you like staying in your car and letting someone else pump, stations are only required to have half of their pumps designated for self service. In 2015 Oregon allowed for some rural stations and overnight stations to offer self service, but the latest bill will cover the entire state.
101 Accident
The accident that caused the shutdown of Highway 101 near Gardiner yesterday involved a pair of vehicles with multiple injuries. Details of the crash have not yet been released, but witnesses said one of the vehicles rolled over and one vehicle caught fire. It is unclear if it was the same vehicle or not. The accident happened 4 miles north of Gardiner. Oregon State Police were on the scene and said it would likely be today before the official report is released. By 3:30 in the afternoon, one lane of the highway had been reopened. The accident occurred around 1pm Wednesday.