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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 13, 2017)
10 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 N ATURAL SIUSLAW VALLEY FIRE & RESCUE — PERSPECTIVE Finding the way home B Y E MILY J. U HRIG , P H D Special to the Siuslaw News A s the kids return to school following their summer adventures, salmon are returning to the Siuslaw River after years of ocean adventuring. Fish born in the river’s upper reaches left their freshwater home at a young age to feed and grow in the Pacific, ranging northward as far as British Columbia and Alaska. Evading the claws, teeth and fishing poles of predators along the way, the salmon are head- ing back to the streams of their youth. They first arrive in the estuary, but, with the onset of fall rains, they will make their way upstream to the smaller tributaries in the Coast Range. In a time when many of us rely on GPS to navigate across town, how do these fish find their birthplace from over a thousand miles away? Navigation during the initial, ocean-based leg of the salmon's journey is still not fully under- stood, partly due to the difficul- ties of studying wild fish at sea. However, there is considerable evidence pointing to their using the earth’s magnetic field to orient themselves. Other factors, like ocean cur- rents, temperature or sunlight, may also help guide them. In reality, their ocean navigation likely depends on some combi- nation of cues. During the next leg of their journey, the salmon’s naviga- tion skills are better known. As they approach the river, fish begin relying on their sense of smell to continue on their way home. As young fish, they imprinted on the scent of their home waters. The water chem- istry, and possibly the smells of fellow fish, creates a unique “odor bouquet” that imprints on the young salmon’s memory. This is similar to how smells, such as baking cookies, may evoke your childhood memo- ries of visits to Grandma’s house. After their noses lead them home, the travel-worn salmon will spawn and die. Their decomposing carcass- es release nutrients that help support their own developing offspring as well as the overall health of the river and sur- rounding environment. Thus, the seemingly abrupt end to an arduous journey secures the future of our fish populations. Even if you don’t encounter salmon on the hook or the plate this fall, as you pass the river, know that beneath its waters these persistent fish are sniffing their way home to ensure that some of their descendants can do the same in years to come. M ILITARY H ERITAGE C HRONICLES — ‘Ute’ ought to know s sometimes happens with many writers, as my deadline approached for this edition of Military Heritage Chronicles, I was experiencing a serious writer’s block, which is pretty amazing considering there are literally thousands of topics available to write about mili- tary heritage. But I was rescued by a call from my friend Barney who said, “Hey, I’ve got a great A B Y C AL A PPLEBEE Special to the Siuslaw News story idea for you.” And he did. His motivation was simple: he owns a 1950 Ford Ute — which, whenever he drives it in public, he spends two and three times longer on a journey responding to questions from curious onlookers. This story will be somewhat of a crossover combining both Military Heritage Chronicles and Car Chronicles as it deals with a little-known vehicle DENTURE SERVICES INC. LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED Open 4 days a week! Here to serve your denture needs: Dentures Partial Dentures Immediate Dentures Implant Dentures Relines & Repairs Same Day Monday-Thursday 10am - 2 pm 524 Laurel St. 541-997-6054 William Foster LD Sherry, Offi ce Manager “As a denture wearer myself, I can answer your questions and address your denture concerns.” ~ William Foster, LD Financing: Citi Health Card 12 Month no Interest here ses are s e in s u b munity ese com rvice needs. h t g in se ow f your lax, kn y to re ith all o s w a e lp e ’s h It to Call the Siuslaw News to Join Our Senior Directory 541-997-3441 Spruce Point SPRUCE POINT ASSISTED LIVING Assisted Living 375 9th Street • Florence 541-997-6111 997-6111 S S IUSLAW IUSLAW N EWS 148 Maple St. Florence 541-997-3441 D EADLINE FOR P RESS R ELEASES I S E VERY M ONDAY AND T HURSDAY BY N OON . E MAIL P RESS R ELEASES @T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM . from the land down under which is rarely seen in the States: the Australian Ute, which also has some military heritage. While the iconic military Jeep of U.S. origin was born out of military needs, the Ute emanates from civilian needs in the 1930s — so the story goes — although versions were produced for the Australian See UTE 11A Protecting together ften, fire departments Brookings, Ore. Additionally, are compared to para- some volunteers from SVFR military organizations. are contracted by private Uniforms are companies to worn, assign- numerous fires ments given, east of Eugene. orders are fol- The duration of lowed and mem- their assignments bers are sent to is from a few to areas devastated 21 days at a time. by fires. Our latest crew Troops, on the was notified at 1 other hand, are B Y P ETE “B OA ” W ARREN a.m. early one sent to all reach- Recruitment & Retention day. They respo- Coordinator for SVFR es of the world. nded to the largest To a degree, so fire in America — are firefighters as they are the Chetco Bar Fire. partnered up with others to Meanwhile, family mem- fight fires burning in our bers, friends and fellow fire- forests and wilderness. fighters anxiously monitored These specially trained the raging firestorms where firefighters have taken many our wildland firefighters were courses and have trained just and are deployed. for this type of work. When After a bit of time and the needed, their new title excitement wears off, just like changes to Wildland anyone else, Wildland Firefighter when they deploy Firefighters miss home. You to conflagrations. can tell by Facebook postings, As of this writing, six of others miss them too. Siuslaw Valley Fire and In the meantime, your Rescue’s (SVFR) frontline local firefighters from Wildland Firefighters are Swisshome/Deadwood, working various fires Mapleton and Siuslaw Valley throughout the region. Their are continuing to protect the uniforms aren’t BDUs (battle district together here on the dress uniforms), but more homefront. appropriate flame retardant ______________________ Nomex clothing, protective headgear and good boots. Pete “Boa” Warren can be SVFR has accepted task- contacted at 541-997-3212, ings from Lane County Fire or the main SVFR station, and headed down to the 2625 Highway 101, or email Chetco Bar Fire near Boa@svfr.org. O
