Wednesday, August 10, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
FuELS: Blaze was
kept small and
handled quickly
Continued from page 1
reached 90 degrees and winds
gusted at 10-15 miles per hour.
Approximately 10 years
ago fuels specialists thinned
out small ponderosa pine,
juniper trees, and removed
brush, considerably reduc-
ing the fire fuels available to
burn. Typically the presence
of small trees and thick under-
brush make controlling a fire
under hot and dry conditions
difficult. Today the understory
on this particular parcel is
composed of small scattered
shrubs, bunchgrass and pon-
derosa pine. Not a single tree
torched in the fire area; the
fire stayed on the ground and
could easily be controlled by
firefighters arriving on scene
with water and hand tools.
“Conditions are especially
dry this fire season, even with
the wet winter and spring
we had this year, increas-
ing the potential for fires to
spread quickly,” noted Ed
Keith, Deschutes County for-
ester. “Fuel-reduction proj-
ects such as this allow for
safer and more effective fire
suppression.
“Fires are a natural occur-
rence here in Central Oregon,
so everyone, including
Deschutes County, must take
responsibility for their prop-
erty to mitigate the potential
losses to themselves and their
neighbors,” Keith added.
“Everyone, from homeowners
to firefighters and other com-
munity leaders, have a role to
play in wildfire preparedness
and better adapting to wildfire
in Deschutes County.”
“Fuels treatments on land-
scapes and defensible-space
projects greatly reduce the
impact that fires will have on
the landscape and in neighbor-
hoods adjacent to those land-
scapes,” said Alison Green,
program coordinator for
Project Wildfire. “Hazardous
fuels treatments allow for safe
and effective fire suppression
and a chance for communities
to better understand their roles
and responsibilities when liv-
ing in a fire-prone environ-
ment such as Central Oregon.”
The outcome could have
been very different if the fire
had occurred in the same
area — but where fuels had
not been reduced. This fire
is added proof that years of
coordinated fuel reduction
efforts by county, state, fed-
eral and private landown-
ers in Deschutes County pay
dividends in the form of pro-
viding a safer environment
for firefighters to work in
while also providing safety to
communities.
For more information
about Project Wildfire visit
www.projectwildfire.org. For
more information on fire-
adapted communities, visit
fireadaptednetwork.org.
25
Starting off young...
photo by aWbrey Gaines
reagan gaines, age 3-1/2, was helped by sam Mitchell in Peewee
showmanship during Deschutes county fair 4-H competition.
Dr. Thomas R. Rheuben
General, Cosmetic, Implant
and Family Dentistry
~ Over 22 years Serving Sisters ~
We are preferred providers for Delta Dental PPO and Premier,
MODA, Advantage, Pacifi c Source, Cigna and the V.A.
photo Courtesy sisters Fire
fuels reduction was a boon to firefighters.
541-549-0109
|
304 W. Adams Ave.
|
Sisters
Quilt Drawing
for
FURRY FRIEND S
501 ( c )( 3 )
FOUNDATION
100% of the proceeds go to Furry Friends Foundation.
“Friends of Furry Friends” quilt was pieced by
Valerie Fercho-Tillery. The bold colors and
incredible detail make this a spectacular quilt.
The quilt is currently on display at
The Nugget offi ce, 442 E. Main Ave.
Bring your pup by for a dog cookie and have a look!
Tickets may be purchased at The Nugget offi ce
or online at our website
www.furryfriendsfoundation.org.
Tickets are $1 each, six for $5 or
go for it, 25 for $20.
Info: 541-549-9941
“Friends of Furry Friends” - by Valerie Fercho-Tillery (46"w x 59"h)