WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2018 ܂ SILVERTONAPPEAL.COM PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Volunteers critical in fight against wildfires Rural departments are understaffed Bill Poehler Salem Statesman Journal USA TODAY NETWORK AUMSVILLE – When smoke was first spotted at Sil- ver Creek Falls State Park in what became the Silver Creek Fire, the first firefighters on the scene were from the Drakes Crossing Fire Department, a department outside of Silverton that relies heavily on volunteers. Though fire crews from Oregon Department of For- estry and other agencies came to fight the fire, the Drakes Crossing crew remained on the scene for the duration of the fight. Firefighters from rural fire departments are often the first on the scene of wildfires, but many rural fire departments are experiencing a shortage of volunteer firefighters. “I think the need for volunteers in our rural and smaller communities, and even our moderately sized communities, is at the critical stage,” said George Dun- kel, consulting administrator for the Special District Association of Oregon. “I can recruit a 65-year-old gentlemen to drive a wa- ter tender, but I can’t train him to go in a fire. There’s a See WILDFIRES, Page 2A A team of firefighters works to extinguish a portion of the Silver Creek Fire in Oregon’s Silver Falls State Park on July 14. CONNOR RADNOVICH/STATESMAN JOURNAL Advisory for Detroit Lake partially lifted Bill Poehler Salem Statesman Journal USA TODAY NETWORK The recreational health advisory has been lifted from parts of Detroit Lake, but extended to include adjacent Big Cliff Lake. The Oregon Health Authority said testing has found cyanotoxins above advisory levels for recrea- tion in the log boom area of Detroit Lake and in Big Cliff Lake, which is west of Detroit Dam. Blue-green algae blooms previously had been de- tected in the Blowout Arm and Heater Creek Arm of Detroit Lake, but advisories have been lifted from those two spots. The OHA says small children and pets should avoid the water where it is foamy, scummy and blue, green and brown in color. The cyanotoxins can appear in water that appears clear as well. “Children drink more water per body weight than adults do,” said David Farrer, the public health toxi- See LAKE, Page 2A Three Pools Recreation Area in the Little North Santiam Canyon on July 14. Below: A man jumps into the water at the site, a popular spot for visitors. PHOTOS BY ANNA REED / STATESMAN JOURNAL 9 ways to avoid crowds in Oregon’s outdoors Annual Davenport Community Festival returns Aug. 3-5 Abby Luschei Salem Statesman Journal USA TODAY NETWORK Zach Urness Salem Statesman Journal USA TODAY NETWORK It happens to every Oregonian at some point. You wake up on a perfect summer weekend and decide to get outdoors and bask in the state's re- splendent beauty. You pack up gear, load up the family and drive for an hour to one of the state's iconic destinations, only to discover that everyone else had the same idea. In the height of summer, some of the state's most celebrated places become total madhouses. Jam-packed parking lots, traffic jams and an expe- rience closer to the Mall of America than a natural wonderland is an increasingly common occur- rence. See CROWDS, Page 3A Follow a few commonsense rules, and you can still have a good experience, even during the height of summer and even, sometimes, on the weekend. Online at SilvertonAppeal.com Vol. 137, No. 32 News updates: ܂ Breaking news ܂ Get updates from the Silverton area Photos: ܂ Photo galleries Serving the Silverton Area Since 1880 A Unique Edition of the Statesman Journal Join us this afternoon with special guest Gerry Frank. He will be signing his 4 Edition of Gerry Frank’s Oregon. Fri. Aug. 3rd from 2 to 5 PM at our Vista Location th 50 cents Bradley Torrison arrived at Seven Brides Brewing on Wednesday, chicory porter in-hand, ready for the Foothill Spargers Homebrew Club monthly get-to- gether. As he poured samples of his home-brewed cre- ation, other members were enjoying a beverage and sharing stories. He then passed around samples for everyone to taste – one of the many traditions of the club. For the past four years, more than a dozen home brewers have come together on the last Wednesday of the month to share tips, techniques and recipes. The group was born from an advertisement put out by a member looking for home brewers interested in form- ing a group. About five or six people attended the first meeting. The club is not only a place where members can exchange brew tricks, but where friends can share milestones. "I would not know anyone here outside of the home-brew club, and having people come together from all varying kinds of backgrounds within the community is not something you see everywhere else," John Wernette, a founding member of the club, said. One way the club shares their love of home brewing is at this year's Homer Days Parade, which they will participate in for the third time. Their float is hard to miss; it's the one covered in fresh hops. The Homer Parade is part of the Homer Davenport Community Festival, an annual celebration in Silver- ton returning Aug. 3-5. Known by many names – like See FESTIVAL, Page 4A ©2018 Printed on recycled paper FIRST 1 DAY FRIDAY SALE AUGUST 3 rd check out our complete sale online at www.roths.com ENJOY SPECIAL 1 DAY PRICES ALL DAY LONG! DELICIOUS FOOD SAMPLES AND WINE TASTING FROM 3 TO 6 PM