Page 16
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Fund-raiser under way
Book review
Red Cross
aids many
in disaster
Biscuit Fire view noted
During the last year,
the Rogue Valley Chapter
of American Red Cross,
which is now conducting a
fund-raising campaign,
provided the following:
*Emergency assistance
to 53 families whose
homes were affected by
fire or flooding.
*Shelter for 278 trav-
elers stranded by severe
winter storms and assisted
69 residents who lost their
home in a retirement home
fire.
*Courses in lifesaving
CPR and first aid, baby-
sitter training, and swim-
ming and water safety to
7,388 people.
*Workplace and com-
munity HIV/AIDS educa-
tion to 788 people.
*Disaster services
training courses to better
prepare 322 people in our
community in the event of
a disaster.
*Assistance in collect-
ing 9,540 units of blood.
*Vital, around-the-
clock emergency commu-
nication assistance for 453
military personnel and
their families. Briefed 50
National Guard soldiers
prior to their deployment
on services available from
the Red Cross.
For more information
phone (541) 471-7822.
There is no cure for birth
or death except to try to
enjoy the interval.
- George Santayana -
No man can think
clearly when his fists
are clenched.
- George Jean Nathan -
A CD-ROM book that spotlights the history of forest
management in connection with the massive Biscuit Fire
affecting Illinois Valley during 2002 offers significant in-
sights.
Produced by Chuck Mansfield, a former smokejumper
based in Illinois Valley, the educational and entertaining
book specifically notes that the 500,000-acre Biscuit Fire,
said to be the largest in Oregon history, became a disaster
because:
*The main component was not detected on a timely
basis.
*The fire was not aggressively attacked although fire
danger was high.
It is the thesis of the book that the root cause for these
failures is complex. “The book is primarily intended as an
educational presentation that will give the public a greater
understanding of the problems faced in forest management
and the devastating changes in forests caused by fire,”
writes Mansfield, a former forest service employee whose
family has been involved in the history of Oregon since
1850.
The centerpiece of the book is a collection of 189 pho-
tos taken between 1928 and 2003. “The major management
decisions affected federal management of lands since 1795
is discussed in some detail,” the author states, adding that,
“The history of fire control in Siskiyou National Forest is
discussed in great detail.
“The photos show the conditions before and after the
Biscuit Fire.” Mansfield asks questions and presents the
evidence, but does not draw conclusions other than,
“Aggressive fire suppression is necessary when the fire
danger is high.”
The author states that smokejumpers and aircraft were
available to hit the fire when it first was discovered on July
13, but that appropriate action was not taken. Therefore, he
notes:
*Some 500,000 acres of forest were burned.
*The entire Kalmiopsis Wilderness was burned.
*The direct cost to taxpayers was $170 million.
*The cost of damage to timber, watershed, recreation,
fisheries and endangered species may never be evaluated.
He then asks, “Why?”
The book involves itself in shedding light on that issue.
‘Les Miserables’ auditions set
Connect the Dots will
conduct auditions for “Les
Miserables” on Friday,
April 23 from 3 to 9 p.m.,
and Saturday, April 24
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at
the Rogue Community
College Rogue Bldg. in
Grants Pass.
Director Daniel
Grossbard, is looking for a
chorus of 25 to 50 actors.
“Les Miserables” will be
performed in late Septem-
ber and early October.
Auditions consist of a
two-minute monologue
and 32 bars each from two
contrasting songs. For an
audition: (541) 476-7434.
This election is about
what we can do for the future ...
• Ensure safe
neighborhoods.
• Develop
responsible county
employee pay and
benefit plans.
• Facilitate citizen
involvement in
county government.
“My vision of the future
is not limited by what others
think is impossible.”
- Cherryl Walker
“Cherryl fights for our farms,
forests and rural way of life.
She is the only elected official
who has ever truly represented
me and my family.”
- John Malkow
Farmer, U.S. Army Veteran & Writer
Cherryl Walker, as independent as you.
Paid for by Cherryl Walker for County Commissioner · PO Box 167, Murphy, OR 97533
S/N000015
Monday, April 12
*1:57 p.m., district-
wide medical standby for
American Medical Re-
sponse.
*2:01 p.m., medical
aid, 28200 block Redwood
Hwy.
*3:42 p.m., power line
problems, 5700 block Hol-
land Loop Road.
Tuesday, April 13
*2:25 a.m., medical
aid, Forest Creek Road.
*2:26 a.m., district-
wide medical standby.
*10:25 a.m., medical
aid, 681 Caves Hwy.
*10:26 a.m., district-
wide medical standby.
Wednesday, April 14
*2:04 a.m., medical
aid, Sherwood Avenue.
*2:04 a.m., district-
wide medical standby.
*12:56 p.m., medical
aid, N. Junction Avenue.
*11:03 p.m., medical
aid, 1400 block Rockydale
Road.
Thursday, April 15
*3:56 a.m., medical
aid, 400 block Lakeshore.
*5:43 a.m., medical
aid, 900 block Dick
George Road.
*6:46 p.m., public aid,
24500 block Redwood
Hwy.
*7:34 p.m., medical
aid, 1400 block Lakeshore
Drive.