A6
NEWS
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Incident commander discusses
Elbow Creek Fire strategy
By Ronald Bond
EO Media Group
Link Smith has fought fire in every por-
tion of Oregon except for the northeast-
ern corner.
He’s now coordinating the attack on
the Elbow Creek Fire burning southwest
of Troy.
Smith is the incident commander for
the Type 1 Oregon Department of For-
estry Incident Management Team 3 that
has been on the scene trying to quench
the Elbow Creek Fire since Sunday
morning, July 18.
Smith, the district forester for the
Western Land District west of Eugene,
is a veteran firefighter. He said during
an interview with the Chieftain July 20
this is his 37th year fighting fire, his 29th
with the ODF and his eighth as an inci-
dent commander.
He’s faced some of the state’s biggest
blazes, as well. Smith was the IC on the
Holiday Farm Fire, which burned more
than 173,000 acres east of Eugene and
Springfield in 2020.
The Elbow Creek Fire, while just
over 1/10th the size of the Holiday Farm
Fire at 18,599 acres as of last week, pres-
ents its own challenges. While the Holi-
day Farm Fire was impacted heavily by
wind, it’s been the terrain, he said, that
has been difficult at Elbow Creek.
“Every fire is different just based on
the environment and weather condi-
tions,” he said. “You look at Holiday Farm
last year, it was wind-driven, a very sig-
nificant wind event, which is challeng-
ing in itself because of the rate of spread,
but you knew where it was going. The
wind’s blowing from one direction and
pushing on the fire. Here, what’s chal-
lenging about it is it’s fuel-driven and
(you face) smoke, and drainages. You
don’t know which way the wind is going
to blow up these drainages.”
He said that the deep, steep drain-
ages and canyons in the area where the
fire is burning makes trying to attack it
EO Media Group/Ronald Bond
Incident Commander Link Smith, left, and Deputy IC Les Hallman speak in Wallowa
Tuesday, July 20, during a community meeting on the Elbow Creek Fire.
difficult.
“The Holiday Farm Fire, you could
reach everywhere,” he said. “These can-
yons are so deep, it’s really challenging to
get people down into them.”
The canyons’ depth and steepness
have even limited one of the tactics
Smith likes to employ — fighting fire at
night.
“It’s a really good time to catch a fire,
but it’s too steep and too dangerous to
put firefighters in a draw at night time
here, so that takes away one of our typi-
cal strategies simply because of geogra-
phy,” he said.
In explaining firefighting and tactics,
he said there is a benefit to having air
support, but manpower on the ground is
what matters.
“People like to think, ‘Just bring in
more helicopters or air tankers.’ They slow
the fire, (but) you have to have boots on
the ground to really put it out,” he said.
“Even if it rains, it buys you an opportu-
nity. I like to tell people we take advantage
of opportunities. If we can get an air tanker
in there and slow it down, maybe we can
chip away at a line. It’s all about contain-
ment, and in this country it’s hard to con-
tain a fire.”
A contained portion of a fire, he said, is
where a border containment line is holding
to the point the crew feels confident they
could leave that portion and it would no
longer spread.
“We’re estimating if we walked away
from it, we’re estimating 15% of that line
we have in, it wouldn’t expand,” he said
when explaining the containment at the
time, which was 15%. “As we continue
to strengthen those lines, the containment
goes up. Before we leave here it will be at
100%.”
The terrain, he said, dictates what strat-
egy is put in place, but he added the team
will “chisel away” putting a border around
the fire until it’s handled.
“What’s your first priority? Maybe it’s
a little section of line, but you have to but-
ton that up. We have people throughout the
fire, we’ll really put an emphasis on one
of those fronts, catch that one, and (then)
we’ll put emphasis on another one, and
just chisel away at it.”
The blaze Smith worked on last year
was the largest he had ever been on, yet
he’s stunned by the current fire situation.
“It’s crazy the size of fires right now.
Never seen anything like it,” he said.
“It’s more fires, and they’re all big fires.”
Ukiah wolf pack attacks sheep herd on Mount Emily
By Katy Nesbitt
For EO Media Group
Nine confirmed attacks
on lambs were attributed to
the Ukiah Pack on private
land 8 miles south of Mea-
cham — the first known
report of this pack interact-
ing with livestock.
According to an Ore-
gon Department of Fish
and Wildlife report, a sheep
herder in the Kamela area
of Mount Emily notified a
ranch hand on July 4 that
sheep had scattered from
around their bedding area
near his trailer the previous
evening.
That same morning, the
report said, a member of
the public found two dead
ewes and one dead lamb on
the same timbered, privately
owned pasture and notified
the ranch hand. An addi-
Contributed photo/Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Nine confirmed attacks on
lambs were attributed to the
Ukiah Pack on private land 8
miles south of Meacham —
the first known report of this
pack interacting with live-
stock.
tional three dead lambs, one
dead ewe and two injured
lambs were discovered, one
of which wasn’t found until
July 7. All of the animals
are believed to have been
Haven House
Retirement Center
injured or killed on the eve-
ning of July 3.
Of the dead sheep, one
was mostly consumed, two
were completely intact,
two were mostly intact and
two were partially con-
sumed. Tracks of multiple
wolves were found near sev-
eral of the carcasses. GPS
data located a radio-col-
lared Ukiah wolf within
150 yards around the time
of the attack where three
of the sheep carcasses were
found.
The Ukiah Pack was
first identified in 2020 with
six members, according
to ODFW’s annual wolf
report. The pack includes
the collared breeding male,
OR60, and the collared
breeding female, OR107.
It’s yet unknown whether
or not the pair had pups
this year, according to Greg
Rimbach, Pendleton district
biologist.
“Our plans are to ascertain
this information for breeding
status in the next few weeks
with aerial flights and trail
cameras,” Rimbach said.
There have been as many
as 25 areas of known wolf
activity in the Blue and Wal-
lowa mountains north of
Interstate 84 and six areas
in the Blue Mountains south
of Interstate 84 since wolves
moved into Northeast Ore-
gon from Idaho. Rimbach
said biologists have worked
with the rancher who lost the
sheep earlier this month for
many years to reduce conflict
with wolves.
“We have notified the live-
stock producer of geographi-
cal pack activity and encour-
aged the continuing use of
electrified night penning,” he
said.
Livestock losses and inju-
ries confirmed by state biolo-
gists to be caused by wolves
qualify the owner to financial
compensation through a pro-
gram managed by the Ore-
gon Department of Agricul-
ture. Last year, Union County
producers were paid $1,330
for dead or injured animals.
The county also received
$16,000 to be used for non-
lethal deterrents to protect
livestock.
123RF
In this stock photo, a bat flies out of a church attic.
Rabid bat found in Grant
County prompts health
officials to urge caution
By Dylan Jefferies
EO Media Group
This week, a bat found
in Grant County tested pos-
itive for rabies, prompt-
ing state health officials to
urge residents to take pre-
cautions against the deadly
disease.
Health officials have
three
recommendations:
Keep children and pets
away from bats, avoid any
physical contact with stray
wildlife and make sure to
vaccinate all cats, dogs and
ferrets against rabies.
Rabies is transmit-
ted through the bites and
scratches of an infected
animal, according to health
officials.
Dogs, cats and ferrets
can be vaccinated against
rabies at 3 to 6 months of
age. After initial vaccina-
tion, they need a booster
shot after one year and
another booster every three
years.
Emilio Debess, pub-
lic health veterinarian for
the Oregon Health Author-
ity, said seven bats tested
positive for rabies in Ore-
gon this year: four in
Lane County, one in Jose-
phine County, one in
Grant County and one in
Deschutes County.
“There’s always an
uptick of rabies activ-
ity in the summertime,”
Debess said. “This case
is a great reminder not to
pick up dead or injured
bats due to possible expo-
sure and to keep pets
vaccinated.”
According to Debess,
potentially rabid bats, dead
or alive, that come into con-
tact with people need to be
sent to Oregon State Univer-
sity’s Veterinary Lab in Cor-
vallis for testing.
In order to test for
rabies, veterinarians need
to look at an animal’s
brain. It’s a quick proce-
dure nonetheless, Debess
said.
“We test over a hundred
bats every year, and usu-
ally 8-10% are positive,”
Debess said.
Rabies cases in animals
other than bats are rare,
but they do occur. Two
Oregon cats tested posi-
tive for rabies in recent
years, one in 2015 and
one in 2017, according
to an annual report put
out by the Oregon Health
Authority.
Additionally, a cou-
ple of Oregon goats and
foxes tested positive for
rabies between 2010 and
2014, prompting state
health officials’ enhanced
surveillance
of
those
populations.
According to the report,
rabies cases in humans are
exceptionally rare due to
vaccinations, and the dis-
ease is 100% preventable
with prompt medical care.
But better safe than sorry,
Debess said. Once symp-
toms begin, the disease is
fatal.
“If you find a bat during
the daylight hours, it is
most likely not healthy
and should be avoided,”
Debess said. “Bats suffer-
ing from rabies will nor-
mally bite in self-defense
and pose little threat to
people who do not handle
them.”
If a bat bites a person
or pet, promptly report it
to Grant County Health
Department at 541-575-
0429 and report the bite to
a medical provider.
Blue Mountain Eagle
reporter Steven Mitchell
contributed to this report.
Apartments
available!
Debbie Ausmus
245 South Canyon Blvd.
John Day, OR 97845
OPEN WED. & THUR.
9 am - 5 pm
714 Main St.
PO Box 386
Fossil, OR 97830
541-575-1113
24 hrs/7 days wk
debbie.ausmus@
countryfinancial.com
541 763-4651
havenhouse3@wix.com
S250284-1
S252784-1
BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND
CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE
R GU
2
15 % & 10 %
RD
TH
GU
TE
1
’S
T
EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER!
NATIO
N
E
A
OFF
OFF
FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET!
+
Promo Code: 285
1
Subject to credit approval. Call for details.
CALL US TODAY FOR
A FREE ESTIMATE
Prepare for unexpected
power outages with a
Generac home standby
generator
A Smarter
Way to Power
Your Home.
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!
SENIORS &
MILITARY!
YOUR ENTIRE
PURCHASE *
1
5 % OFF
WE INSTALL
877-557-1912
YEAR-ROUND!
TO THE FIRST 50
CALLERS ONLY! **
REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!
LIFETIME
WARRANTY
FREE
ACT NOW TO RECEIVE
1-855-536-8838
A $300 SPECIAL OFFER!*
Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST
For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. *Off er valid at time of estimate only 2The leading consumer reporting agency
conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufac-
tured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. CSLB# 1035795 DOPL #10783658-5501 License#
7656 License# 50145 License# 41354 License# 99338 License# 128344 License# 218294 WA UBI# 603 233 977 License# 2102212986 License# 2106212946 License#
2705132153A License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 License# WC-29998-H17 Nassau HIC License# H01067000 Registration# 176447 Registration# HIC.0649905
Registration# C127229 Registration# C127230 Registration# 366920918 Registration# PC6475 Registration# IR731804 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration#
PA069383 Suff olk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2705169445 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 0086990 Registration# H-19114
Blazing Fast
Internet!
Special Financing Available
*Off er value when purchased at retail. Solar panels sold separately.
AT&T Internet
40
19 . 99
$
$
/mo.
where available
64
99 190 CHANNELS
MO.
Local Channels!
for 12 Mos.
CALL TODAY - For $100 Gift Card Promo Code: DISH100
1-866-373-9175
Offer ends 11/15/21.
All offers require credit qualification, 24-month commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers. Hopper, Hopper w/Sling or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more.
Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification.
S254516-1
/mo.
when bundled,
plus taxes &
equip. fee.
12 mo agmt, other qualifying service (min
$19/mo) & combined bill req’d. $10/mo equip.
fee applies. Incl 1TB data/mo. $10 chrg for
each add’l 50GB (up to $100/mo). †
America’s Top 120 Package
Including
Subject to Credit Approval
S254511-1
Your home is only as smart as your Internet.
ADD TO YOUR PACKAGE FOR ONLY
$
7-Year Extended Warranty*
A $695 Value!
Limited Time Off er - Call for Details
(844) 989-2328
S254512-1
2-YEAR
TV PRICE
GUARANTEE
S250277-1
Cut cable internet
and switch to AT&T
Internet. Call now!
*To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase,
install and activate the generator with a participating dealer.
Call for a full list of terms and conditions.
S254510-1
One solution for oxygen at home, away, and for travel
Introducing the INOGEN ONE – It’s oxygen therapy on your terms
‡
• Plans up to 100 Mbps.
• Free Smart Home Manager App 1
with Parental Controls. 2
• The bandwidth to power multiple
devices at once.
Number of devices depends on screen size/resolution.
• Get a seamless whole-home Wi-Fi
experience with AT&T Smart Wi-Fi. 3
No more tanks to refi ll. No more deliveries. No more hassles with travel. The INOGEN
ONE portable oxygen concentrator is designed to provide unparalleled freedom
for oxygen therapy users. It’s small, lightweight, clinically proven for stationary and
portable use, during the day and at night, and can go virtually anywhere — even
on most airlines. Inogen accepts Medicare and many private insurances!
Limited availability. May not be available in your area.
Call to see if you qualify.
Reclaim Your Freedom And
Independence NOW!
Iv Support Holdings LLC
888-486-0359
Geographic and service restrictions apply to AT&T Internet services. Not all speeds available in all areas. Call to see if you qualify.
$40 INTERNET OFFER: Price for Internet (768k - 100) for new residential customers when bundled with another qualifying AT&T service (DIRECTV, U-verse TV, AT&T TV or AT&T Phone or postpaid AT&T wireless). Prorated ETF ($180) applies if
Internet is disconnected before end of 12 months. Must maintain all bundled services to receive advertised pricing. Additional Fees & Taxes: Excludes cost-recovery charges, where applicable and $10/mo
equipment fee. Activ/Installation: $35
activation fee (self-install) or $99 installation (full tech install) may apply. Credit restrictions apply. Pricing subject to change. Subj. to Internet Terms of Service at att.com/internet-terms. † Unlimited data allowance may also be
purchased separately for an add’l $30/mo., or maintain a bundle of TV & Internet on a combined bill and receive unlimited internet data at no add’l charge. For more 1 info, go to att.com/internet-usage.‡ Internet speed claims represent maximum
network service capability speeds. Actual customer speeds are not guaranteed and
may vary based on several factors. For more information, go to att.com/speed101. AT&T Smart Home Manager
is available to AT&T Internet service customers
2
3
with a compatible AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway. Features limited to home Wi-Fi network. Parental Controls and Data Usage features available with BGW210, 5268AC and NVG599 Wi-Fi Gateways. AT&T Smart Wi-Fi requires installation of a BGW210,
5268AC, or NVG599 Wi-Fi Gateway. Standard with Internet plans (12M or higher). Whole-home Wi-Fi connectivity may require AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender(s) sold separately. Offers may not be combined with other promotional offers on
the same services and may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice. Other conditions apply to all offers. ©2020 AT&T Intellectual Property. All Rights Reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other AT&T marks
contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.
S254515-1
Call Inogen Today To
Request Your FREE Info Kit
1-855-839-0752
© 2020 Inogen, Inc.
All rights reserved.
MKT-P0108
S254513-1