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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 21, 2015)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2015 Local & Entertainment Stices Gulch CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 “I can’t get over it,” he told the group. “This is my fi rst big event like this, so when I was driving around with Chief John (Baker City’s Chief) I asked him if the cooperation was usual with all these agencies, and he said defi nitely not. He hasn’t seen anything like it either, and he has so many years of experience.” Devlin went on to talk about the Fire Management Plan for the area. He explained that even after they were allowed to return to their homes, they would still be seeing smoke and small fi res for quite some time. "Tree stumps will be smoldering" he said, “and normally they will be fi ne to just burn out on their own but, if anything con- cerns you, don't hesitate to call us. If you see anything that you think is a concern, you call." He went on to explain that due to the fi re having denuded the hills of veg- etation, there was nothing left to hold the rocks and loose soil. "Come the rains,” Devlin said, "there is danger and the possibility of land- slides, fl ooding, and falling rock." He went on to tell the residents if they had any large rocks they were wor- ried might come loose and cause damage, to call him and he or his crew would bring the station's heavy equipment out to move it. Devlin informed the group that he would be having the Type Six truck from the Station driving through the region every night for the next couple of weeks, doing spotting and watching for any potential NRAC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 Grant pointed out the need for stronger language concerning federal agen- cies’ compliance with the law, and said, “Right now, there are two miners in The outbreaks. He explained that "ash pockets" left from the fi res could continue to smolder, and reach as much as 1,000 degrees, so for residents to be exceptionally cautious when working outside on their properties. "Wear heavy boots," he said, "and, again call us if there's anything that looks worrying." Devlin explained that he wanted to reassure the group that he and or his crew would be out to check on anything suspicious, but he wanted to educate the residents so that they knew what to expect. Lt. Joey Jayo from the Baker County Sheriff’s Department is also a resi- dent of the area and he had been working alongside the other fi refi ghters to save the homes. "Be careful," said Jayo, "and make sure you stay in touch with Emergency Services." Jayo went on to explain that Dispatch had all the landline phone numbers, but that residents needed to be sure their cell phones were registered too. Jayo spoke, too, about how so many helped from the entire community. He explained that ODOT would be working on felling the trees that posed danger along the 245 high- way, to further reduce the danger. One of the residents mentioned that he had only recently discovered an old abandoned mine shaft on his property, not 20 feet from his house. "Sure glad I didn't fi nd it by parking the backhoe over it!" he told the group. He went on to remind the emergency services workers that there is the possibility of stumbling on abandoned mine shafts all over the area, and that was another danger. Homeowners were encouraged to add fl ood insurance to their existing plans, as the possibility of fl ash fl oods and mud dam- age is greatly increased due to the fi res. Also, fi res can cause soil to become very resis- tant to water, so that the water sheets off rather than soaking into the earth. Devlin cautioned the residents to wait before felling trees that appeared killed by the fi res. "Call ODF before you cut," he said. "Many trees are actually able to resist any permanent damage and begin to grow again. ODF will send someone out to evaluate your trees, and tell you which will still be viable." Devlin ended the meet- ing by encouraging the owners. "It is 90% sure that we can let you return to your homes tomorrow," he said. "Try not to be overwhelmed by the devas- tation. Just take it all one step at a time, eventually you'll get it all cleared up." He explained that the fi refi ghters were focused on clearing a safety zone of 100 feet around each home. Finally, the Chief closed by reiterating his astonish- ment at the level of inter- agency cooperation he had seen. "All of them," he said, "from local volunteers, contract fi refi ghters, ODF, BLM, everybody, went out of their way to be careful, kind and compassionate. They were careful with fences for example. They would use gates when possible rather than just cutting fence. And the cooperative collaboration between everyone involved made the work smoother and safer for all." Later the following day, Stices Gulch residents were indeed able to return to their homes. Montana that are being thrown off their place, because they didn’t adhere strictly to the law, while they’ve identifi ed, now, 25 violations of the law by the Forest Service.” After some more discus- sion and debate, Harvey asked for a decision from the committee, and the majority voted to leave the Mining section as-is. At the conclusion of more discussion, including further revising, the NRAC voted to present the plan to the Baker County Board of Commissioners for ap- proval. Baker County Press Subscribe Today! Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Email address: Phone: E-Only $29.95/yr. Print (Delivery) $39.95/yr. Inside Baker City City Limits Only Print (Mail) $49.95/yr. Outside Baker City City Limits Only 1. Make check payable to: Black Lyon Publishing, LLC 2. Mail the check with this completed form to: PO Box 567, Baker City, Ore. 97814 To pay by credit card, please visit www.Th eBakerCountyPress.com THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 11 Bebe’s word search This week’s crossword puzzle Across 1- Take to court; 4- Vulgar; 9- Fit; 13- Mom-and-pop org.; 14- Silk dye; 15- Software medium; 16- Retire; 18- ___-garde; 19- Bellowing; 20- Wages; 22- “West Side Story” tune; 25- Young goats; 26- Property claims; 28- Flexible; 32- Neighbor of Leb.; 35- In unison; 37- Belgian painter James; 38- Jalopy; 40- Spirited horse; 42- Bestow; 43- No longer on deck; 45- Conger catcher; 47- No-win situation; 48- Sacred place; 50- Actress Taylor; 52- Yours, in Tours; 54- Decipher; 58- Cross; 62- Children’s refrain; 63- Brit’s half-note; 64- Mishaps; 67- Chorus section; 68- “______ by any other name…”; 69- Word in many band names; 70- Dresden denial; 71- Monetary unit of Turkey; 72- Yes; Down 1- Herring type; 2- In ___ (unborn); 3- Stationery brand; 4- State in the SE United States; 5- Mythical bird; 6- Verb ending?; 7- Pro or con; 8- Slink; 9- Notifying; 10- Muffi n choice; 11- Protracted; 12- CPR pros; 15- Taper; 17- Marsh bird; 21- Final letters?; 23- Pianist Myra; 24- Govt. security; 27- Look of disdain; 29- ___ were (so to speak); 30- ___ Sad, Serbia; 31- Genealogist’s work; 32- Ayatollah’s prede- cessor; 33- Himalayan legend; 34- Broccoli ___ (leafy vegetable); 36- Caught congers; 39- By airplane; 41- Sand hill by the sea; 44- Clan emblems; 46- Slopes backward; 49- Neither partner; 51- Iroquois foe; 53- Singer Chris; 55- Gossipmonger; 56- Succinct; 57- We’re Off ___ the Wizard; 58- Counterfeiter catcher; 59- Anger; 60- Opposed to; 61- Color of raw silk; 65- ___ anglais (English horn); 66- Terre Haute sch.;