OEM Mentions
KTVZ, June 19 - A climber from New York apparently triggered a small avalanche that sent him tumbling down the north side of South Sister on Saturday, prompting a lengthy rescue effort that ended late Sunday morning, when he was hoisted aboard an Oregon Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter and flown to St. Charles Bend. (See also: KATU, KMVU, KOMO, The Bulletin, Bend Source Weekly, Central Oregon Daily)
BadCredit.org, June 21 - When an earthquake strikes, you have only a few minutes to respond — if that. That’s why earthquake preparedness should take place far before the seismic waves are felt. ... “It’s important people feel empowered to take actions to help keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe,” said Oregon Office of Emergency Management Director Andrew Phelps. "These actions can be as simple as signing up for local emergency alerts, reviewing community evacuation routes, or talking with a neighbor who may need some extra help during an emergency — all are measures that can mean the difference between being a disaster survivor or a disaster victim.”
KAJO, June 22 - The Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is offering simple actions and resources residents can take to stay safe during wildfire season. This includes evacuation best practices and encouraging everyone to know Oregon's three-level evacuation system: "BE READY. BE SET. GO NOW!"
Morrow County Nitrate Emergency
Oregon Capital Chronicle, June 20 - In response to the groundwater nitrate emergency in Morrow County, several food processors, an industrial farm and an Amazon data center have stepped up to pay for drinking water testing and water distribution for people who rely on wells drawing from a contaminated aquifer.
YakTriNews.com, June 21 - Having clean water to drink and cook with is essential to any person’s wellbeing. That’s why safe water and testing kits are being made available to residents of Morrow County as the region experiences a serious battle with water contamination. Starting on Tuesday, June 21, Morrow County Emergency Management is partnering with the Oregon Department of Human Services to provide safe water supplies to community members impacted by high nitrate levels in the area’s wells.
Health & Social Services
The Oregonian (subscription required), June 18 - ... COVID-19 infections have increasingly become part of the new normal. Few businesses still require masks or proof of vaccination, and the state’s messaging around precautions has been muted when compared to the frequency and volume of warnings during past surges. “I think it’s a confusing time for people,” said Dr. Marcel Curlin, an infectious disease expert with Oregon Health & Science University. On the one hand, he said, there are clearly a lot of infections. On the other, the state long ago lifted most restrictions meant to curb spread of disease.
KATU, June 19 - We're hearing about a surge in 'first time' COVID-19 cases in some parts of the country. Is that the case here in Oregon? And if so, why is that happening? Dr. Bill Messer, an infectious disease specialist at Oregon Health and Science University, joined KATU’s Your Voice, Your Vote on Sunday to shed light on the local coronavirus trends.
KATU, June 19 - An independent group of scientists representing Oregon, Washington, and other western states has signed off on the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months old. (See also: KOIN, KGW, KUNP, The Oregonian)
OPB, June 20 - Federal health advisors last week authorized COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as six months old, the last age group to gain access to the vaccine. Some parents are wondering why, nearly a year since the vaccine was first approved for adults, it took this long.
KOIN, June 21 - The shipments of COVID-19 vaccine doses specific for children between 6 months and 5 years are now arriving in Oregon, and that means shots are beginning this week. The Oregon Health Authority told KOIN 6 News they will post appointment slots on their website beginning Thursday for a shot clinic this weekend. Doctors at OHSU confirmed they have already received shipments of the dose-specific vaccine. (See also: KGW)
The Oregonian, June 21 - State officials are asking parents to wait a little longer to find out where they can vaccinate their young children against COVID-19, even as nearly four dozen providers were scheduled Monday to receive thousands of doses.
Wildfire Cleanup & Recovery
Business Tribune, June 21 - Oregon Housing and Community Services (HCS) awarded over $73.33 million toward the construction of 625 affordable homes in Oregon counties that have been affected by wildfires. (See also: KOBI, DJC Oregon)
Business & Economic Impacts
OPB, June 21 - ... Make no mistake: the COVID-19 pandemic hit Ashland hard. It came on the heels of two smoky summers, during which several performances of the festival, Ashland’s anchor attraction, were canceled. OSF went dark for all of 2020 and most of 2021.
KDRV, June 21 - New state rules effective next week intend to minimize worker exposure to wildfire smoke in Oregon. Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Division (OSHA) adopted the rules last month to take effect July 1, 2022.
The News Guard, June 21 - As a rule addressing protections for workers against potential exposure to wildfire smoke is set to take effect July 1, Oregon OSHA encourages employers and workers to use new resources developed by the division to help understand and comply with the rule. (See also: KTVZ)
The Oregonian, June 22 - A coalition of Oregon business groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s job site rules mandating that employers take steps to protect workers from extreme heat and wildfire smoke. Regulations adopted in May by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division lay out steps employers must take once the temperature or air quality reaches a certain threshold. The heat rules went into effect June 15, while the wildfire smoke rules are set to go into effect July 1. (See also: KTVZ, East Oregonian, Baker City Herald)
Climate, Weather & Environment
KOIN, June 20 - Chances are if you’re reading this, it’s going to be hot where you live this week. Meteorologists are warning a heat dome will park itself over parts of the country, pushing temperatures into the 90s and 100s for many cities. More than 100 high temperature records could be broken this week in cities around the U.S., CNN reports. (See also: KTVZ)
Drought & Water Systems
Herald and News (Capital Press), June 17 - Oregon water regulators want to impose stricter rules for drilling new irrigation wells next year to preserve groundwater levels and prevent over-pumping. A preliminary analysis of available data suggests that little groundwater across the state is available for new allocations, said Ivan Gall, field services division administrator at the state’s Water Resources Department.
The Register Guard, June 19 - U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Martin Heinrich recently introduced the WASH Sector Development Act to expand access to safe sanitation and clean drinking water for rural and underserved communities. The crisis in Flint, Michigan, Warm Springs, Oregon, the Navajo Nation, the Colorado River and Louisiana have shown that these water justice issues are common in the U.S. The Oregon Water Futures Collaborative contributes locally to these federal efforts and state initiatives.
The Observer, June 19 - With rainstorms relentlessly soaking the state throughout spring, Oregonians can be forgiven for assuming that drought fears have dissipated. Many are surprised to learn that worries about water shortages have persisted despite the stubbornly soggy weather, said Ryan Andrews, a hydrologist at the Oregon Water Resources Department.
Malheur Enterprise, June 22 - Residents who face acute impacts from drought as their prime water source vanishes can seek financial assistance from the Oregon Water Resources Department.
Firefighting & Mitigation
KTVZ, June 17 - Oregon is experiencing increasingly extreme fire seasons, with devastating impacts. Keeping fires small is critical to protecting Oregonians, their communities and the state’s natural resources from wildfire and mitigating those impacts. The sooner a new fire is spotted, the faster resources can be sent out to fight it. (See also: KDRV)
Statesman Journal, June 20 - ... In general, the wet spring has been a very good thing for Oregon. It has refilled reservoirs, kept river flows higher than normal — good for fish and wildlife — and scaled back the severity of the state’s long-term drought. It has also delayed wildfire season. A year ago, major wildfires erupted near Mount Hood and brought evacuations to southern Oregon in mid-June. This year, there’s little chance of that happening so early. (See also: Register Guard)
KTVL, June 20 - After weeks of rain and unseasonably cold weather many Oregonians are likely enjoying feeling the sun on their faces and wearing something other than a raincoat. The weather change, that’s come just in time for the official start of summer, has also delayed this year’s fire season but officials with the Oregon Department of Forestry say they are not expecting that to last much longer. (See also: KVAL, KPIC)
Albany Democrat-Herald, June 20 - Despite recent rains, summer is around the corner, which means temperatures will be increasing, and the area will be getting drier. Translation: Wildfire season is approaching. Since the devastation Oregon experienced in 2020, wildfire season summons a sense of urgency. Local fire marshals and forest experts say the area’s particularly wet spring doesn’t mean wildfire season isn’t a concern, and now is the time to prepare.
Mail Tribune, June 20 - With summer approaching, dozens of local wildland firefighting jobs remain unfilled. Calling it a “recipe for trouble” that could become “a four-alarmer,” U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden sounded the alarm this week over the Pacific Northwest’s 20% vacancy rate for wildland firefighters.
Oregon Capital Chronicle, June 20 - Federal agencies to work on ways to help firefighters recover from on-the-job trauma, provide early intervention. ... The U.S. Interior Department will create a health and wellbeing program for wildland firefighters and boost spending on firefighting efforts by $103 million in fiscal 2022, Secretary Deb Haaland said Friday. (See also: Albany Democrat Herald)
The Oregonian (Associated Press), June 21 - President Joe Biden has signed off on giving federal wildland firefighters a hefty raise for the next two fiscal years, a move that affects more than 16,000 firefighters and comes as much of the West braces for a difficult wildfire season. (See also: KATU)
KTVZ, June 21 - Firefighter groups are applauding the Biden administration’s steps to raise pay but warn that the temporary wage hikes won’t be enough to combat staffing problems, as federal agencies compete with local fire departments and big box stores in a tight labor market.
KAJO, June 21 - Structural firefighters in southwest Oregon have greatly modified their mission priorities over the last couple of decades to embrace wildfire suppression and containment. Most -- if not all -- have added significant amounts of training, hose, equipment and apparatus to be their most efficient in this new era of being "all-hazard" first responder agencies.
Burns Times-Herald, June 22 - ... The Harney Basin witnessed a relatively wet April and May. Logic suggests that this is good news for the upcoming wildfire season. However, Burns Interagency Fire Zone (BIFZ) Fire Planner Casey O’Connor suggests that there’s a little more to the story.
OPB, June 22 - As the Fourth of July approaches, fireworks go on sale throughout much of Oregon on Thursday. And the state fire marshal’s office is reminding people to celebrate legally and safely. “We want folks to have a good time, celebrate with their friends and family, and also come out on July 5th with, you know, good memories and no injuries,” said Alison Green with the Oregon Fire Marshal’s Office.
Hazards, Mitigation & Preparedness
KPTV, June 15 - Multnomah County, the City of Portland and a host of nonprofits and health systems want the community to be ready for the eventual return of deadly summer heat. “Based on our experience last summer and after multiple winter responses, we feel more prepared going into this summer,” said Jenny Carver, an emergency manager with the Department of County Human Services. (See also: KOIN)
Planetizen, June 22 - People with disabilities often die at higher rates during natural disasters or other emergencies. One Oregon advocacy group wants to change that. (See also: Next City)
Army.mil, June 22 - The Oregon National Guard CERFP task force trained at Camp Umatilla June 12-14 to maintain standards for emergency management. The task force, comprised of Oregon Army and Air National Guard members, is designed to be the subject matter expert in a domestic chemical, biological, nuclear or radiological incident.
Housing & Shelter
Beaverton Valley Times, June 17 - Moratorium for tenants with pending rent assistance applications expires Sept. 30. Thousands of tenants across Oregon facing housing insecurity will lose access to a key protection against nonpayment evictions if they have not submitted documentation by the end of June.
Infrastructure, Transportation & Utilities
The News Review, June 17 - Pacific Power and its parent company, PacifiCorp, is making a significant investment in the security of its power grid leading into the 2022 and future wildfire seasons. A plan that was initially launched in 2018, Pacific Power has begun adding more and stronger conductors along its power distribution lines both in southern Oregon and along its grid east of Portland.
East Oregonian, June 19 - Two Oregon environmental groups on Thursday, June 16, posted their findings for Oregon most climate-polluting power plants, and the results look grim for plants in Umatilla and Morrow counties — at least for now. Six of the top 10 dirtiest plants in the entire state are in the two counties, according to research from the Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center and Oregon State Public Interest Research Group Foundation.
Legislative
KLCC, June 21 - A state lawmaker on the Oregon coast wants schools to teach students how to prepare for things like earthquakes, wildfires or tsunamis. Democratic representative David Gomberg had to flee his home near Lincoln City in 2020 in front of a rapidly advancing wildfire. While his house was ultimately spared, Gomberg said his family’s hasty evacuation was made easier because they had a go-kit ready and a plan in place.
Natural & Cultural Resources, Agriculture & Animals
Oregon Capital Chronicle, June 20 - Contrary to claims, national forest practices that heed collaborative work are not all about logging.
Search & Rescue
KOBI, June 21 - It’s the first day of summer. That means it’s time for marine officers from around the state to come to southern Oregon. They’re perfecting their drift boating skills on the Rogue River. Law enforcement from around the state getting unique training this week on the Rogue River. Students are learning skills like how to swim in white water, hydrodynamics, practice rescue techniques, and operate in different environments.
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