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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 2, 2015)
10 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015 Local Sumpter hosts wildfi e awareness meeting BY MEGHAN ANDERSCH Meghan@TheBakerCountyPress.com Sumpter Fire Department and Powder River Fire Protection District hosted a Wildfire Awareness and Community Meeting on Thursday, September 24th at the Sumpter School- house. Kurt Clarke, Sumpter Fire Chief, opened the meeting and introduced members of the Baker County Interagency Fire Prevention Team, includ- ing Tom Morcom of Vale BLM, Steve Meyer of ODF, Jason Simmons of BLM, Noel Livingston of USFS, and Gary Timm of Baker County Emergency Management Fire Division. Clarke concluded his remarks by stressing the importance of defensible space in saving homes in the event of a wildfire. He volunteered to help residents assess and protect their homes. He said he wants to make everyone’s home safe and make it safer for his firemen also Timm invited the ap- proximately twenty in attendance to ask ques- tions. He explained his role working with the 12 rural fire districts around Baker County and promot- ing a seamless cooperative spirit between fire age - cies. He liaises between the rural fire districts and the County. He said this meeting is happening due to Clark’s energy and guid- ance to get out education. Livingston called this year a “one-percent year” and said he has never seen anything like it in his career. He spent a lot of time with teams on differ- ent fires across the west. He said he has seen fires before scattered through- out rural areas threatening a structure here or there. This summer, fires were threatening communi- ties. With not enough fire resources to go around, he said it is extremely important to make your residence more defensible. He referenced Stices Gulch and said structures were saved in that commu- nity because of work done around structures before the fire got there The Fire Prevention Team and community members discussed ideas and options for reducing fire risk. Meyer said ODF tries to get money every year for grants for thin- ning for the Sumpter area, though there is not a lot available. He also offered that concerned landown- ers can call ODF and they will send someone out to look and explain what can be done to make the home safer. Timm said he also has not seen a season like the past one in his career and that it will take everyone working together go- ing forward, whether the money is there or not. He said, “As citizens of Baker County, we have the obligation to do right by ourselves, so as to do well by our neighbors.” LeAnne Woolf of Sumpter asked about the mature crop of ponderosa pines throughout Sumpter. Livingstone responded that ponderosa is fairly fire r - sistant as a single tree, but is a fire hazard if tightly packed. He said Sumpter doesn’t need to get rid of its pine trees and suggested evaluating whether cano- pies are touching or open and how tightly packed the t rees are. Timm explained the concept of prefire planning looking from the outside in “all the way to the kitchen sink.” Is there sufficient entrance for emergency crews? Timm said they like to see vegetation cleared 14 feet to the sides. A defensible space 100 feet out from the home doesn’t mean taking everything down to gravel, but reduc- ing risk of combustible items. Right by the house, it might be irrigated a bit more or kept green. Look at the house and what it’s made of. Finally, evalu- ate everything inside the house, including use of candles and space heaters. A discussion of bark beetles led to Meyer sug- gesting calling the ODF office to have a forester come out and take a look. There are a couple of different types of beetles in the area. Drought weakens the trees and when a beetle gets into a tree, it sends out pheromones to attract other bugs. Beetles fly in the spring so it is important to get affected trees taken care of by April or May. The team then discussed the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Timm said the County has a plan and the team can talk about a given area of the County and all will know what area they are talking about and risks in those areas. The plan includes a list of mitiga- tions for risky areas. They look at what’s important to the area, and what needs to be done to help reduce risk. This can include fuel reduction projects, community meetings, water sources, signage, etc. Timm said this “allows us all to look at the big picture and come together and get stuff done.” Simmons said the CWPP has led to cool things like large fire pla - ning exercises involving infrastructure, capabilities, roadways, culverts, etc. They are targeting high- risk communities and the first was the face of the Elkhorns. They evaluated for defensible space, in- gress/egress, etc. Living- stone said preplanning is big and most communities don’t have that. They are often pulling the relevant information just ahead of the fire Timm explained the project is not invasive and not an open public document. It is completely voluntary and participa- tory. Agencies come out and work with homeown- ers to evaluate risk. Baker Meghan Andersch / The Baker County Press L-R: Kurt Clarke (Sumpter Fire Chief--standing), Tom Morcom (BLM), Noel Livingston (USFS), Steve Meyer (ODF), Jason Simmons (BLM), and Gary Timm (Baker County Emergency Management-Fire Division). County has started, utiliz- ing a system already tried and in place elsewhere, and Union and Wallowa Counties are looking at fol- lowing suit. Morcom said the CCPC is driven by the community and said, “Let us know what the needs are”. Simmons said the plan is revised every year and if anyone has input, let Clarke know. The Fire Danger Level Sign program was then discussed. Livingston explained the “adjective class sign” (low, moder- ate, high, extreme). He said Northeast Oregon is broken up into zones, which are monitored each day for fuel and weather conditions. The zones are also evaluated to figure out how dry they are on aver- age. Livingston said they try to maintain consistency across the area. He asked the recommendations based on the sign be fol- lowed and explained for example, Sumpter may have gotten rain, but Gran- ite could be bone dry. There is also an indus- trial class sign for indus- trial operations and public use restrictions on national forest land. Meyer explained ODF protects private timber ground in the state of Oregon and some range ground around it to protect timber. In the winter, they display thanks for keeping Oregon green signs. Dur- ing fire season (first part o June to beginning or mid- October), they have a yel- low sign. During this time burn permits for barrels and open fires are required. During regulated use, the sign is orange. This means no open burning and burn barrels can be used until 10 a.m. No chainsaw use is permitted after 1 p.m.. There are additional restrictions that can be implemented depending on conditions. Meyer said Sumpter is unique as it’s a municipal- ity that is in ODF protec- tion, and usually follows their regulations, but the City does its own permit- ting for burn barrels, etc. Clarke explained some- times burning is allowed outside of town but he shuts off all fires in town for safety reasons. Timm said he is trying to get a single operating system for the 12 depart- ments across the County. Most follow ODF proto- cols. There is a lot of in- teragency communication about fire danger levels Livingston said the USFS has treated several 1000 acres around Sumpter in the last several years and now they are looking at maintenance projects to go into areas treated in the past. Myrna Clarke of Sumpter asked about lots of dry piles around Spauld- ing Ridge Road and other areas. Livingstone asked to be notified of such areas and said his crews love to burn in the fall. He said fall is a better time for burning large piles, particularly those associated with log- ging operations, and they try to burn after the area has had snow and they know more is coming. Jan Smith asked about burning the piles on her property and Livingston explained that spring is also okay for burning small piles, which tend to consume well. Timm explained the Ready, Set, Go evacuation programming. This is a national program marking standards for evacuation. He said the levels really got tested this summer, and by the end of the season, they were very good at uti- lizing the system. He said the Level 1 (Ready) warn- ing is confusing in that it says “Level 1 evacuation notice”. This is just a first step warning and means a fire is in the area. Listen to the radio, pager, or stay in touch with the fire chief to monitor conditions. Level 2 (Set) means the fire chief and sheri f in conjunction with the 911 system have decided there is a potential threat and you should get ready to go if necessary. Timm said to think about livestock, pictures, or items of value you’d like to gather. Public meetings with fire teams may start. Level 3 (Go) means leave the area. Timm said once you leave you prob- ably will not be able to get back in until the area is safe. In Oregon, a level 3 notice is a high suggestion, but you cannot be forced to leave. However, anyone who decides to stay must realize that emergency resources may not be avail- able to help. Timm also mentioned that a code red with the County is tied in with landlines through the 911 system. Go to baker911. org and click on code red to register cell phones and unlisted landlines for noti- fication of local eme gen- cies. More information on fire prevention can be found at livingwithfire.info. The local Oregon Department of Forestry number is 523- 5831 and the United States Forest Service ranger sta- tion is 523-4476. MOVING AUCTION Horse Drawn Vehicles- Antiques/Collectibles-Tools- Misc. Shop Saturday Oct. 17th, 2015 Time:10:00 A.M. PDT • Sale Located at: 73972 Hwy. 82, Elgin, Ore. Sale Located at: 73972 Hwy #82. East on Hwy #82 to the intersection of Hwy 82/ Hindman Rd. (mile post 25.6) Terms: Cash or bankable check day of sale. No merchandise removed prior to settlement. 10% buyers premium. Concessions available on site. Auctioneers Note: Cliff and Judy Tschirgi have been business owners/ranchers in the Grand Rhonde Valley for more than 35 years. With a change in direction, they are down- sizing their nice, clean property at auction. Plan on attending this unique auction sale. Horse Drawn Vehicles: late 1800's Surrey w/fringe top; late 1800's Dr.'s buggy w/ new old stock runners included, both have new uphol- stery and are restored, shaves and tongue avail- able; 4 seat sleigh w/original shaves and original mohair upholstery. Carriage Horse: Good looking registered Morgan Palomino gelding, 14.2H, 900 lbs.(ap- prox) 9 yo. Professionally trained to drive and ride. Point earner is different shows. Collectibles: 3-wood burning stoves, Colonial cook stove (Portland Iron works), Dow- agic stove, Great Western Duplex wood stove; 3- cast iron bath tubs; Stanley # 35 rabbit plane, #6 jack plane; Prairie #2 25 lb. Brass spring scale; vintage logging tongs; nice 24 slot oak letter rack; Maytag wringer washer; one-lunger washing machine engine; antique tools; dual can dispenser 7-up vending machine w/key; 1920's G.E./Hotpoint automatic electric range (very clean); Duncan-Pfiffe table and chairs; nice faint- ing couch (ready to be re-finished); 7 ft. buffet (probably oak); 1920's bridge lamp; 5 gal. And 2 gal. Wearever cast aluminum stock pots; Ruby Red punch bowl set; 6 pt Elk mount; Black Bear head mount; neat and clean steamer trunk w/ original drawers and hangers; vintage bat wing chaps; Saddles and Tack: 15 1/2” bench made cutting saddle (D. Cunningham-G. Von Dohns maker, Union, Or.), 15 1/2” Herford by Tex Tan (old style); 3- 13 and 13” saddles, good quality; 3 sawbuck saddles; 1 pr. Ralhide back boxes; 1 pr. Pack bags; 2-Australian stock saddles; 1 pr. Saddlebags; more to find. Furniture and Appliances: White Kenmore 400 washing machine; white Kenmore 18 cu. ft. double door refrigerator; maroon Laz- E-Boy couch w/dual recliners; beige 4’ round great chair/couch; Hamilton-Beach convection oven; central vacuum system, new in box; like new NordicTrak Tread Climber exercise ma- chine; wrought iron style patio furniture; wicker furniture;more to find. Shop and Misc.: Bark Buster (P.T.O. Wood splitter); P.T.O post auger w/12” bit; 16 ft. Pow- der River Classic gate; misc. panels; Lincoln 225 Amp arc welder; a good selection of Craftsman power tools to include, 20 gal., 2hp air compres- sor; 12” table saw w/extensions; Radial arm saw; 6” joiner; 12” band saw; Shaper; 5 hp single phase pump; John Deere RX75 riding lawn mower; 20+ 4 X 4 X 8 pressure treated posts; ap- prox. 22 7' mid-weight T-posts; partial roll Red Brand barb wire; 134A Freon w/ hoses; Echo PB- 1010 leaf blower; McCullough Silver Eagle 3420 chain saw; high wheel lawn mower; Hi-Lift jack; new deep sink; 4 rolls 1 1/2” fire hose; frost free hydrants; broadcast spreader; locust firewood; new Camp Chef 2 burner gas stove; new Cole- man 2 burner propane stove; Coleman 2 burner gas stove; Misc. camping and fishing equipment. more to find. Partial list only: As we find more during set up we will post those that warrant advertis- ing on our web site. For pictures to to www.snakeriverauction.com. To arrange absentee or telephonic bidding call Roger at (541)212-5918. Preview Friday Oct. 16th. 12-4:00 p.m. Sale Conducted by Snake River Auction L.L.C. P.O. Box 672 Payette, Id. 83661 (541)212-5918