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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2018)
REGION Friday, December 21, 2018 East Oregonian A3 Growing wildfire costs get governor’s attention State spent $102 million on large fires this year FROM 2008 TO 2012, ANNUAL FIRE COSTS IN THE STATE HOVERED AT $20 MILLION OR LESS By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — Oregonians saw $62 million in private grazing and timberland go up in flames this fire season. Such seasons continue to grow worse, longer and more expensive in the state, posing more threats to life and property. Gov. Kate Brown has proposed a special council to take a new look at how the state fights fires and pays for that work. The state Forestry Department reported to leg- islators recently that large fires cost the agency $102 million this year. The federal government will cover much of that, and private landowners chip in some, but the high price tag still creates a budgeting frenzy as the state waits for federal reimbursement. Brown’s proposed coun- cil is likely to look at whether the state is staffing fires efficiently. Every summer, desk- bound Forestry Department employees like accountants and human resources staff can be taken off their regular duties to help on fire crews. Staff photo by E.J. Harris A firefighting air tanker drops a load of fire retardant into a draw in Harrington Canyon on August 17, 2018 as a large wildfire burned out of control Friday southwest of Pilot Rock. That is called a “militia model.” Other states, like California, have a dedicated firefighting agency. As fire seasons grow lon- ger, militia-style firefighting could actually cost the state more by taking employees off key, but non-fire, func- tions of the department for months at a time. The governor’s council is likely to include officials from Oregon’s tribes, state and federal forest agencies, environmental groups and landowners. Forest prac- tices likely won’t be part of council’s review but could become a consideration. Brown also wants the state to hire a consultant to analyze budgeting for fires. Oregon’s byzantine array of reimbursements, borrowing and insurance burdens the state’s general fund. From 2008 to 2012, annual fire costs in the state hovered at $20 million or less, according to state data. Costs spiked to $122 mil- lion in 2013, as fires in the Rogue Valley persisted. While expenses haven’t reached that point again, they continue to stay above pre-2012 levels. The Forestry Depart- ment had to bump up its bor- rowing from the state trea- sury to pay this year’s bills while waiting for the federal money. “Payments to contractors and vendors must be made ... on a timely basis,” state analysts wrote in a recent report on the 2018 fire sea- son. “Many people and busi- nesses assisting with fighting Boardman police run sting, catch child luring suspect at Portland airport By PHIL WRIGHT East Oregonian The Boardman Police Department ran a sting to catch an Indiana luring sus- pect at the Portland Interna- tional Airport and prevent him from meeting a local girl. Kai Christopher Larkins, 20, of Ashgrove, Indiana, faces an initial felony charge of first-degree online cor- ruption of a child in Morrow County, according to state court records. Boardman police Lt. Loren Dieter said the case began when a mother reported she was concerned with her juvenile daughter’s online conversation with them so they with a man. Police could get through Sgt. Mark Pratt security checkpoints investigated and saw and contact Larkins red flags, Dieter said. as he came off the The two police plane. supervisors used “He was defi- Larkins nitely not expecting “pretext” text mes- sages to chat with us.” Dieter said. “He Larkins, Dieter said. They was very surprised.” found out Larkins bought They questioned and an airline ticket and was fly- arrested Larkins and hauled ing into the Portland Interna- him to the Umatilla County tional Airport. Jail, Pendleton. Court Boardman police con- records show he faced tacted the Port of Portland arraignment on the lone Police Department, which count Thursday morning. handles policing at the air- The court has not set subse- port. Dieter and Pratt went quent dates in the case. to the airport Wednesday, The charge of online cor- and Dieter said one of the ruption of a child is a class B port police detectives stayed felony and requires a defen- dant to solicit a child for sex and take a “substantial step toward physically meeting with and encountering the child.” Dieter said flying halfway across the United States to meet the girl qual- ified as “a pretty substantial step.” He also said these cases often come to light only after the offender harms the victim. Getting in on the front end to prevent that, he said, felt good. The criminal investiga- tion into Larkins continues. Dieter said there is digital data to sift through to make sure the case is airtight and find if Larkins has done this before. large fires are self-employed or own small businesses and cannot wait to be paid until the department receives reimbursements.” And fire-induced cash flow issues aren’t limited to the Forestry Department. The Oregon State Police feels the impact too. The state fire mar- shal’s office, part of the state police, incurred about $32 million in unbudgeted expenses in 2017 and 2018 due to wildfires, according to legislative documents. When fires threaten peo- munity Center, 415 S. High- way 395, Hermiston. Enjoy a holiday breakfast including pancakes, sausage and top- pings for decoration. Tickets required, seating limited. FREE FOR ALL, 9:30- 10:15 a.m., Pendleton Cen- ter for the Arts, 214 N. Main St., Pendleton. Free art classes for children up to age 12. Children under 8 should be accompanied by an adult. (Roberta Lavadour 541-278-9201) YARN CLUB, 10 a.m.- 12 p.m., Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. (541-567-2882) HIP & HANDMADE, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Pendle- ton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St., Pendleton. Free drop-in project class for adults. (Roberta Lavadour 541-278-9201) SUNDAY, DEC. 23 SPECIAL NEEDS OPEN GYM, 12:30-1 p.m., Pendle- ton Recreation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Free for special needs children and families. (Casey Brown 541-276-8100) MONDAY, DEC. 24 WALKING FOR WELL- NESS, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Pendle- ton Recreation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. Get some exercise even when the weather is bad. Free. (Casey Brown 541-276-8100) PRESCHOOL STORY TIME, 10:30 a.m., Athena Pub- lic Library, 418 E. Main St., St. John’s announces advent services HERMISTON — The public is invited to cele- brate the final services of the advent season at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 665 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. The fourth Sunday of advent is Dec. 23 at 9 a.m. with a service of lessons telling the story of Israel and the Nativ- ity. It also includes music and will conclude with the eucharist. Also, the first service of Christmas is Monday, Dec. 24 at 7 p.m., followed by mass at 7:30 p.m. For more informa- tion, contact Rev. Chuck Barnes at 541-567-6674 or chuckb@eotnet.net. Redeemer church sets kids Christmas pageant Starts Wedneday December 26th 8 a.m. Women’s apparel! During Sunday Worship December 23rd. • 9am Everyone Welcome Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FUMCPendleton (541) 276-2616 Dec 26th • 12pm THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES AQUAMAN (PG13) 3:30* 6:40 PENDLETON — Area 1:50* 10:00 families are invited to bring their kids so they BUMBLEBEE (PG13) 12:50* 7:20 9:50 can participate in a Christ- 11:20* 4:50 mas program at Episcopal MARY POPPINS (PG) 1:10* 4:00 6:50 9:40 1:20* 4:10 7:00 10:00 Athena. For ages birth to 6. (541-566-2470) PENDLETON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12-1 p.m., Pendleton Senior Center, 510 S.W. 10th St., Pendleton. Costs $3.50 or $6 for those under 60. Pool, puzzles, crafts, snacks, Second Time Around thrift store 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For Meals On Wheels, call 541-276-1926. (Tori Bowman 541-276-5073) ART STUDIO, 4-5:30 p.m., Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St., Pendle- ton. Free class for ages 7-12 to develop skills and encourage art exploration. (Roberta Lava- dour 541-278-9201) WINTER CLEARANCE SALE 50%-70% off Annual Christmas Cantata 12/21-24 Cineplex Show Times $5 Classic Movie CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE, 6-7:30 p.m., First Christian Church, 518 S. Main St., Mil- ton-Freewater. (Janet Collins 541-938-3854) MORTAL ENGINES (PG13) 1:20* 4:10 7:00 9:50 * Matinee Pricing wildhorseresort.com • 541-966-1850 Pendleton, OR I-84 - Exit 216 Happy Holidays - From - Sara Rickman, MD • Rhonda Wyland, MD Lynn Lieuallen, FNP • Teri Rosselle, FNP Saagers Shoe Shop SAVE 352 SE 2nd St. • Pendleton, Oregon Church of the Redeemer. The annual Children’s Christmas Pageant is Mon- day, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve — from 4-5 p.m. The church is located at 241 S.E. Second St., Pendleton. Children are needed for roles, including a mouse, sheep, donkey or camel. In addition, there are parts for angels and shepherds and magi. With no audition or rehearsal, anyone can participate. Rev. Charlotte Wells invites people to come and celebrate Jesus’ birthday with the Redeemer church family. For more informa- tion, contact Wells at 541- 276-3809 or rector.pendle- tonepiscopal@gmail.com. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE (PG) Store closed 12/22 – 12/25 to prepare for sale Pendleton First United Methodist Church Reporter Claire Withy- combe: cwithycombe@ eomediagroup.com or 971- 304-4148. Withycombe is a reporter for the East Ore- gonian working for the Ore- gon Capital Bureau, a col- laboration of EO Media Group, Pamplin Media Group, and Salem Reporter. BRIEFLY COMING EVENTS FRIDAY, DEC. 21 STORY AND CRAFT TIME, 2 p.m., Echo Public Library, 20 S. Bonanza, Echo. (541-376-8411) VFW BINGO, 6 p.m., Hermiston VFW, 45 W. Cherry St., Hermiston. Doors open at 6 p.m., games begin at 7 p.m. Everyone welcome. (541-567-6219) MOVIE EVENT, 7:15 p.m., SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road, Boardman. Enjoy “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The Grinch will visit 30 minutes prior to the movie showing. $3 admission includes a bag of popcorn. Bottled water and concessions available for purchase. Plays again at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday. (Ste- fanie Swindler 541-481-7243) Saturday, December 22 PANCAKES WITH SANTA, 9-11:30 a.m., Hermiston Com- ple and homes, the governor can call on the fire marshal to dispatch local firefight- ers to action and cover their costs. This year, about 1,000 firefighters protected 7,600 Oregon homes that were threatened by fires. The federal govern- ment will cover about two- thirds of those costs, but not before next summer, when the state’s two-year budget ends. The cost of fighting all wildfires, including feder- ally-managed fires, is esti- mated to be about $500 mil- lion this year. & Up To 50% off Men/Women’s Shoes ! Boots, fl ats, casuals, booties, clogs, athletic, trail shoes and boots, dress shoes, performance comfort, hiking boots and more! Huge selection of the fi nest comfort brands and top rated performance footwear. Mon - Sat: 8 AM - 6 PM • Sun: 12 PM - 4 PM 613 N. Main St., Milton-Freewater, OR www.saagershoeshop.com • 541-938-5162 Mon.-Thur. 8 am- 6 pm, • Fri. 8 am-12 pm, Sat. 9 am - 12 pm (school year) 2461 SW Perkins Ave • Pendleton, OR 97801 • 541-276-0250
