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Wednesday, August 24, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
FIRES: Human-caused
blazes are a threat
in Central Oregon
Continued from page 1
caused,” said State Fire
Marshal Jim Walker. “This
demonstrates that all of us
need to take responsibility
for protecting ourselves and
our neighbors by preventing
wildfires in these extreme
conditions.”
In the past month, Central
Oregon has had numerous
human-caused fires. Now,
Oregon State Police along
with the U.S. Forest Service,
U.S. Forest Service Law
Enforcement, Bureau of
Land Management, Oregon
Department of Forestry and
Deschutes County Sheriff’s
Office believe that several of
those fires were intentionally
started. Specific details will
not be released while investi-
gations are ongoing.
HIkERS: Women were
treated and escorted
to the trail head
Continued from page 1
cell phones were nearly out
of power. Prior to calling for
help, they had flagged down
a passerby on the summit
who provided them with a
small amount of water.
Tanton and Chenoweth
were now alone on the sum-
mit with no one around to
potentially assist them.
Five
DCSOSAR
Volunteers, comprised of
medical and mountain res-
cue personnel, responded to
the Devil’s Lake Trailhead
and ascended the trail on
foot through the night, mak-
ing contact with the two
women at about 11 p.m.
Tanton and Chenoweth were
both treated at the summit
and guided down the moun-
tain by the DCSOSAR Team.
The DCSOSAR team and
While an investigation by
all cooperating agencies is in
progress, the agencies urge
the public to report suspi-
cious activity on public lands
by calling the Oregon State
Police at 503-375-3555 or if
it is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Central Oregon is cur-
rently in the peak of its fire
season, and the fire danger
level is extreme with very dry
fuels and continued hot and
dry weather in the forecast.
The public is reminded that
every wildfire puts our fire-
fighters, visitors, residents
and properties in danger.
In addition to the arson
fires, firefighters have
responded to numerous aban-
doned or escaped campfires.
Campfires should never be
left unattended and should be
cold to the touch whenever
they are left. Properly dispose
of cigarette butts, park only in
areas clear of vegetation, and
in general use caution while
working and recreating.
female hikers arrived back at
Devil’s Trailhead at about 6
a.m., where Tanton’s mother
was waiting to further assist
Tanton and Chenoweth, who
did not require any further
medical attention.
The Deschutes County
Sheriff ’s Office reminds
those who recreate outdoors
to prepare for the activity.
Some considerations include
proper clothing for day and
night conditions in your envi-
ronment, as well as footwear.
Ensure you have adequate
water and food, topographi-
cal trail maps, extra batter-
ies or charging options for
phones or GPS units. Bring
a light source and a signal-
ing device. Seek out informa-
tion regarding the area and
what may be encountered,
such as current and projected
weather conditions as well as
terrain in the area. Tell some-
one where you are going,
what you will be taking with
you and when you plan to
return.
group sues over forest
thinning plan in oregon
BEND (AP) — An envi-
ronmental group is suing
the U.S. Forest Service over
its plan to thin trees in an
Oregon forest.
The Bulletin reports that
the nonprofit League of
Wilderness Defenders filed
a lawsuit in federal court
Monday arguing the Forest
Service illegally avoided an
environmental review of its
thinning plan.
The agency in December
2015 approved the Walton
Lake Restoration Project,
which calls for thinning,
replanting and other work on
about 176 acres near the lake
in Ochoco National Forest.
According to the project,
some of the conifer trees
around the lake have a root
disease that could cause
the tree to fall, even though
it might look healthy. The
agency says the process has
environmental benefits but
could pose a safety risk to
people.
s
LETTERS
Continued from page 16
To the Editor:
It appears the progress to a roundabout on
the west side of Sisters is progressing nicely,
its location determined, its ability to handle
truck traffic tested, and money allocated for
art, etc.
What I am curious about is: how will this
expenditure alleviate the weekend — and
sometimes weekday — traffic gridlock east
bound which seems to extend from Locust to
Barclay and at times to Rail Way and beyond?
We should all expect that this project will
move traffic smoothly and with no delays
through Sisters. If not, why are we doing this?
Steve Madsen
s
s
s
To the Editor:
Ah, the perils of trying to interview some-
one in a crowded, noisy space! Jodi Schneider
McNamee has faithfully covered the Country
Fair and Art Show at the Episcopal Church of
the Transfiguration for several years, and we
appreciate her very much.
But chatting with Silent Auction Co-Chair
Gayle Rodrigues in the happy and very noisy
hum of the venue caused her to make a few
misquotes we’d like to correct, as they have
caused folks some confusion.
To clarify: Gayle has not chaired the Silent
Auction for 11 years — it has been eight years,
taking over from Lael Cooksley and Sandra
McBride. Her husband, Fr. Ted Rodrigues, is
not retiring in April 2017, but in January 2017,
after serving the congregation for 11 years.
Gayle Rodrigues
s
s
To the Editor:
Thank you for the most interesting article
on the Ikhwan and Ibn Saud (“Ikhwan: Meet
the new horde, same as the old horde,” The
Nugget, August 17, page 23).
It certainly added to my understanding of
the region to know that the unending horrors
committed by some groups have been happen-
ing for hundreds of years.
If they could only get their tribalism behind
them — but that won’t be happening anytime
soon, obviously. Education of women would
help tremendously, which is, of course, why
they oppress that option.
Saying “my understanding” of the area is a
joke, actually. Does anybody understand that
mentality? The brutality? The lack of compas-
sion seems so contrary to basic humanity. I am
speaking of a minority, of course, but what a
vicious minority.
Suzi Bradley Sheward
s
s
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To the Editor:
Thank you so much for giving the oppor-
tunity to the Swifts girls (UK basketball
team) to attend this event (SPRD’s Hawaiian
luau). It was truly the most memorable
time and thoroughly enjoyed by all of the
girls.
Anabelle enjoyed her whole experience in
Sisters and Bend, enjoying the hospitality of
all its residents and experiencing all of those
things that are culturally different from the
UK.
Alyson Yates
s
s
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Featuring fantastic food from
Sisters’ restaurants
Live Music & Dancing by Beatles cover band JuJu Eyeball
Performance by Central Oregon Aerial Arts
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 · 6 PM
EUROSPORTS FOOD CART GARDEN
223 E. Hood Ave. · Sisters, OR
Sliding-scale admission $20-$60 • Limited tickets available
Purchase in advance at Eurosports or bendticket.com
PROCEEDSBENEFITSISTERSKIWANISFOODBANK
ANDFURRYFRIENDSFOUNDATION