Appeal tribune., August 08, 2018, Page 3A, Image 3

SILVERTONAPPEAL.COM ܂ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 ܂ 3A
Half of Oregon in ‘severe drought’ after July
Zach Urness Salem Statesman Journal
USA TODAY NETWORK
More than half of Oregon is now ex-
periencing severe drought, according to
a report by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Fueled by one of the hottest and
driest spring seasons on record, and
made worse by one of the hottest
months of July, Oregon has become a
bone-dry tinderbox with wildfires pop-
ping up regularly across the state.
The current drought is the worst the
state has seen since 2015, but has al-
ready brought considerably more wild-
fires.
Oregon wildfires have burned
291,000 acres as of July 31, more than
double last year’s record-setting fire
season at the same time, according to
data from Northwest Interagency Coor-
dination Center.
“It’s not unusual to have very hot and
dry weather in July,” National Weather
Service meteorologist Gerald Macke
said.
“But this is extreme. We had periods
of hot weather that lasted nine to 10
days, and that’s not normal.”
Both Salem and Portland set records
for the most days above 90 degrees. Sa-
lem had 17 days above 90, compared to
the average of just 5.4, according to
NWS data.
Salem’s average temperature of 67.6
degrees in July was the third-hottest on
record, with 2015 taking the top spot 73.1
degrees. Portland saw its second-hot-
test average temperature on record at
69.2.
All of this follows on the heels of
near-record heat and dryness in May
and June as well, which is why Oregon
has dropped so deep into drought.
Ninety-five percent of Oregon is con-
sidered “abnormally dry” while 82 per-
cent is in moderate drought and 55 per-
cent is in severe drought, the Drought
Monitor report said.
And there’s little relief in sight.
“We’re starting off the month with
some cooler temperatures, but by next
Oregon wildfires have burned 291,000 acres as of July 31, more than double last
year’s record-setting fire season at the same time, according to data from
Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. JASMAN LION MANDER/MANDER STUDIO
week we might well be back into the
90s,” Macke said. “Above normal sum-
mer heat the rest of the way is not a bad
guess.
“We’re not expecting rain that will
help with fire conditions until Septem-
ber at the earliest, and more likely Octo-
ber.”
Zach Urness has been an outdoors
writer, photographer and videographer
in Oregon for 10 years. He is the author of
the book “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon”
and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can
be reached at zurness@StatesmanJour-
nal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on
Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.
Habitat build happening
in Mt. Angel
reach completion. Volunteers can work
on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sat-
urdays. To help or learn more, contact
Stephanie Stoneking, program and
event manager, at sstonek-
ing@nwvhabitat.org.
IN BRIEF
Mt. Angel garage
sale Aug. 18
Bargain hunters and hagglers should
save the date for Mt. Angel’s second
annual Citywide Garage Sale on Sat-
urday, Aug. 18.
Leader
Continued from Page 1A
goal is to have a calm spirit, to listen to
people, let the emotion come out and
use science to make good judgments.”
Halemeier's predecessor, McMahan,
recently approved new rules on crowd-
ing, alcohol and campfires in the Opal
Creek area, in addition to approving a
forest thinning plan scheduled to begin
late this year.
“We’re a multiple use agency, and
that’s not an easy or a simple thing, but
the goal is finding balance,” McMahan
said.
“It’s about developing good partner-
Residents who want to sign up to have
their addresses listed on a guide that
will be provided to shoppers and visi-
tors should sign up at City Hall. Getting
on the list is free for residents; busi-
nesses may buy an advertisement for
$5.
For more details, call 503-845-9291.
ships, listening to everybody, and then
making a decision that’s not driven by
one thing or one viewpoint.
“Dave has the skill and ability to do
that — he’ll make a great district ranger.”
Halemeier said he's looking forward
to getting started in the place he consid-
ers home.
“I look forward to being back in the
Canyon full time,” Halemeier said. “I’m
excited to be back home.”
Zach Urness has been an outdoors
writer, photographer and videographer
in Oregon for 10 years. He is the author of
the book “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon”
and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can
be reached at zurness@StatesmanJour-
nal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on
Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.
North Willamette Valley Habitat for
Humanity is currently coordinating the
construction of a home in Mt. Angel.
This current “build” needs volunteers to
Dave Halemeier became the new Detroit district ranger on Aug. 3.
PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. FOREST SERVICE
Never Have Clogged Gutters Again
Summer Savings!
*
$300 OFF
NO NO NO
Money Down, Interest, Payments
Until Summer 2019 †
Call
31st!
Call Before
Before August
July 31st!
#
America’s 1
††
Gutter Protection Company
One Time Investment • Lifetime of Benefits
3 Keep leaves, needles, & debris out
3 Rain water flows freely into & through your gutter system
3 Tested to handle up to 22 inches of rain per hour
3 Installed by trained & certified technicians
3 Approved by all major roofing manufacturers
FREE Estimates
Senior & Military Discounts Available
971-273-5594
*Min. purchase of 50 linear feet required, offer expires 8/31/18.
7/31/18. Offer applies to Gutter Helmet only and must be presented at time of estimate, cannot be
combined with any other offers and subject to change without notice. Void where prohibited by law. †Subject to credit approval. Interest accrues during
promotional period but all interest is waived if paid in full within 12 months. Lednor is neither a broker nor a lender. Financing is provided by 3rd party lenders,
under terms & conditions arranged directly between the customer and such lenders, satisfactory completion of finance documents is required. †Based on an
independent 2014 national marketing study. WA #GUTTEHS872LM © 2018 Lednor Corporation
OR-GCI0057401-01
No
More
Needles