Page 4 * The St. Johns Review * #16 - Aug. 7, 2015
Email: reviewnewspaper@gmail.com * Mail: PO Box 83068, Port. OR 97283 * Web: www.stjohnsreview.com * Phone: 503-283-5086
COMMUNITY NEWS
Dangling Protesters - Continued from Page 1
slowly made its way towards the
St. Johns Bridge.
As it came into view there was
a swarm of kayakers who raced to
the River’s center with the hopes
it could once again force the ship
to turn around. More than 10 Law
enforcement vessels attempted to
stop them or at the least, turn them
around. Some were towed back
to shore, some were deliberate-
ly fl ipped and then rescued, and
some were just forced back by the
bigger boats. With this mayhem
the Fennica was forced to put its
engines in reverse stopping the
over 400-foot vessel and kicking
up a great deal of mud from the
bottom of the unusually shallow
Willamette River. As it idled for
about 20 minutes, law enforce-
ment boats successfully got most
kayakers and swimmers safely
back, allowing the ship to pro-
ceed forward. Passing beneath the
bridge at approximately 6:00pm
loud yells, screams, and shouting
could be heard from the hundreds
of people lining the docks at Ca-
thedral Park and the shore. It was a
tense few minutes.
With the Fennica picking up
speed and being escorted by many
coast guard boats, a sigh of relief
could be felt by all those involved
that the nail-biting ordeal was over
and nobody was injured, or worse.
Several protesters were detained
with a handful being arrested.
Many said they were cited with
criminal trespassing and interfer-
ing with a peace offi cer. Earlier
in the day a judge said protesters
would be fi ned $2500 an hour
starting at 10:00am that day and it
would be raised each day the pro-
testers blocked the ship’s path. The
total fi ne, as the Fennica passed
the bridge, was about $17,500.
Mary Nicol of Greenpeace called
the protest a success because it
received National attention and
slowed the Fennica’s journey to
the Arctic. “We found that the
blockade was successful. Climate
change does present a real threat to
everyone globally.”
It has been described as one of
the most sophisticated and memo-
rable Green Peace demonstrations
ever conducted. Lt. Andy Clarke
with the Fire Bureau said it was a
“once in a career, and a once in a
lifetime, experience.”
Portland Fire & Rescue’s high angel
rescue team preparing to remove three
of the protesters
Protes
Thank you to everyone who sent in their remarkable pictures to the Review.
Fabulous picture taken by Mark LaMalfa of the protesters and the beautiful
arches of the bridge pillars.
Fire Bureau says community can help mi
By Captain Eric Pedersen,
Portland Fire & Rescue
Portland is lucky to have an abundance of
open and natural areas within the city. The
residents of St. Johns, Overlook, and many
neighborhoods across the city are especial-
ly fortunate with the number of these areas
to enjoy. These open and natural areas help
clean our air and water, provide important
habitat, deliver beautiful views, and offer a
connection to nature not usually found in an
urban area.
Natural areas are inherently vulnerable to
fi re during the summer months. Living in
proximity to these areas can also increase the
risk of a wildfi re spreading to homes or busi-
nesses. Prevention is the key to minimize
this danger and allow everyone to continue
to benefi t from Portland’s greenspaces.
The recent weather patterns have produced
exceptionally dry and dangerous conditions
in our area. In the past few weeks, we have
seen an increase in the number and severity
of grass and brush fi res for this time of year.
Portland Fire & Rescue is equipped and pre-
pared to respond to any wildfi re situation
but there are important things that you can
do to help us in preventing damage to your
property and limiting the potential spread of
a fi re.
Prevent a fi re from starting:
Improperly discarded smoking material is
the number one cause of wildfi res.
*Do not discard cigarettes in potted plants,
landscaping, vegetation, or bark dust – they
can easily catch fi re.
*Use a deep, sturdy ashtray or a non-com-
bustible container that cannot be tipped
over.
*Before throwing away butts or ashes,
douse in water or sand.
*Use only approved barbecue equipment in
good condition.
*Avoid all outdoor burning, especially if
there is any wind. If a recreational fi re is
desired, use clean, dry
and build the fi re in a
for this purpose. Keep
diameter and no highe
or water bucket nearby
fi res at least 25’ from a
Preventing fi re sprea
The less vegetation
cent to your home, th
from a wildfi re. One
create a defensible spa
by modifying, reducin
tial fuel materials or v
barrier that will slow
toward your home. A
allows room for fi refi g
safely. Critical steps in
space include:
* Use fi re resistant bui
* Landscape with fi re
* Remove fl ammable
fuels within 30’ of a
This includes items suc