The Colestin Rural Fire District - Bulletin Board Home Page

The 2013-2014 Proposed Budget has been submitted to the Board by the Budget Committee for sunshining to the public together with the Notice of Public Hearing on May 10th, 2013, to discuss the Proposed Budget.

Both of these documents are, as of Thursday, May 9th, 2013, posted here on our website and can be accessed from our Budget page.

Wildland Fire Risk Potential for 2013:

The US Forest Service has released a map of the Wildland Fire Risk Potential for 2013 with the areas of greatest risk in color-coded format. It can be viewed on the NFPA's (National Fire Protection Assn.) site blog at: http://wildfire.blog.nfpa.org/oregon/.

Extensive portions of California, particularly much of the northern California region, as well as southwestern Oregon, much of Idaho and eastern Nevada, and western Utah are in the 4 percent red "Very High" risk zone, intermingled with the 8 percent "High" risk potential zone. (Scroll down the page about one-third.) This site also has lots of other timely news and useful wildland and other fire safety information, including a graphically depicted "sweet spot" zone for wildland rural-interface residents when taking wildfire risk factors into consideration - well worth checking out.

The Spring, 2013, Firebrand is out:

The Fri. April 26th, 2013, edition of the Mail Tribune contained (the) "Firebrand," a small newspaper insert with some great fire prevention information. This edition has really useful, timely articles:

"Fire Season Forecast for Southwest Oregon"
"Fuel Reduction for Your Back 40"
"CERTS Volunteers Doing the Greatest Good"
"Building Safer Neighborhoods Through Firewise Communities"
"Middle Applegate Watershed Pilot Project: A Fresh Approach to Forestry in Southern Oregon"
ODF fuel reduction programs, fire-resistant plant spotlight, resource links, and more

In case you missed it, you can check it out on the RVFPC website at http://www.rvfpc.com. (Look under the right-hand navigation column, & scroll down to "Firebrand Newsletter").

A printed copy is also available upon request by:

calling Brian Ballou (ODF) at 541-664-3328,

emailing rvfireprev@gmail.com, or

writing to: Rogue Valley Fire Prevention Cooperative, P.O. Box 3301, Central Point, OR. 97502.

The Firebrand is published by the Rogue Valley Fire Prevention Cooperative, a non-profit group of fire prevention organizations based in southern Oregon, and "supports the mission of the RVFPC, and the outreach and education action items in the Jackson County Integrated Fire Plan... [a]rticles also highlight projects that protect homes and wildlands from wildfire, and promote healthy, productive wildland environments. // The Firebrand also supports emergency preparedness for families, pets and livestock, and provides information about preventing fires inside the home."

"State predicts hotter, drier summer than most":

Paul Fattig's article in the Thurs. April 11, 2013, edition of the (Medford) Mail Tribune tells us what we already know or intuit:

ODF's Brian Ballou is quoted: "The forecast is for a much drier summer than we have been in for the last few years... We will likely have an earlier fire season than we have had for a while."

Lightning is expected to be a wild card as far as large fires go, but the potential for fire in general will be greater than normal: "The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, the nation's support center for wildland firefighting, predicts that significant fire potential will increase to above normal for the Northwest and Northern California in June and July."

Locally, despite a good start last fall on the water year since September 1st that has left us with an above-average level to date, early 2013 reflects more of the El Niño pattern anticipated this past winter, with the result that "the first three months of the year were the driest on record," surpassing the record for this period set in 1992.

The ODF and the U.S. Forest Service are already preparing for a potentially active fire season: "ODF will have a fire-retardant bomber stationed at the Medford airport again this fire season, Ballou said. Helicopters will be based also in Medford and Merlin" and other firefighting resources will be available "at the same levels as last year."

However, lightning notwithstanding, the ODF is emphasizing prevention before these resources become necessary. In particular, "residents in rural areas" need to take action now, ahead of fire season, to "reduce grass, weeds and brush around structures to decrease the threat should a wildfire come their way this summer."

You can (and should) read the article in its entirety on the Mail Tribune's website at:

State predicts hotter, drier summer than most (MT 4-11-13)

or copy & paste the following link into your browser:

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130411/NEWS/304110313

(The Mail Tribune's website allows non-subscribers access to 3 articles per month.)

Also see:

The Rogue Valley Fire Prevention Co-op's site (and "Firebrand" info above)
Wildland Fire Prevention - Fuel Breaks & Other Tips page here on our website
Firewise Communities/USA (www.firewise.org)

2013 Firefighter Training:

Training is in progress, but we are still in serious need of more (and newer) firefighters, first responders, and people who can serve in various auxiliary support capacities, as our valley community grows and as some older or longer-serving volunteers have retired from active-duty firefighting.

This year's fire season also promises, based on recent water/moisture level assessments, to be an "interesting" fire season [see articles below] and we're really going to need everyone possible.

If you are a local resident or property owner and wish to participate or if you have considered joining us even if you aren't sure or have questions, contact (Fire Chief) Steve Avgeris. Also see our Training page for info/details.

An upcoming First Responder) re-certification training opportunity is also in the works for all current EMRs (first responders) as well as first-timers who may be interested to join our emergency medical response crew. Starting this August, Amy Stacher of CalFire will be teaching an EMT class in Etna, CA, through The College of the Siskiyous. Details.

Late February 2013 readings at Mt. Ashland sites show below-normal snowpack and water content levels:

Paul Fattig's February 28th, 2013, article headline in the Mail Tribune states that "February snowpack readings show drop at upper elevations: But some mid-elevation sites are above normal":

"U.S. Forest Service snow ranger Steve Johnson's snow-survey trek up Mount Ashland on Wednesday revealed above-normal snow at the lower elevation site but below-normal amounts for the three higher-elevation snow survey areas for the end of February.

"...the snow level at the Siskiyou Summit site, 4,600 feet above sea level, was 143 percent of normal with the snow at 27 inches. The all-important water content, reflecting how much moisture is available in the snowpack for summer stream flows and irrigation, is 8.7 inches, or 161 percent of normal.

However, "Johnson found only 48 inches of snow at the Ski Bowl Road site, at 6,000 feet elevation on Mount Ashland, for 75 percent of normal. The snow water content was 16 inches, or 76 percent of normal.

"At the 6,500-foot level, the Mount Ashland Switchback site had 64 inches of snow, which is 80 percent of average. The water content was 23.8 inches, making it 86 percent of normal.

"The Caliban II site, also at 6,500 feet, contained 64 inches of snow for 86 percent of normal. The water content at that site was 23.8 inches, or 94 percent of normal."

For the full article, see February snowpack readings show drop at upper elevations. (The Mail Tribune's website allows non-subscribers access to 3 articles per month.)

Free Health Seminar: “Understanding Cholesterol”

For those interested: “Join James Cook, M.D., cardiologist, for a discussion about simple steps to a healthier heart,” on Thursday, May 23rd, 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Medford Library, 205 S. Central Ave., Medford (downtown). Sponsored by the Providence Medford Medical Center. To register, call 541-732-6237.

For the latest wildfire and smoke updates, see www.inciweb.org.

REMINDER: Be vigilant during and after lightning storms - call in any fires or suspicious smoke. Rapid response is crucial - WE are all fire watchers here. Our valley's protection depends upon us. Thanks to everyone for participating.

For those who may have missed it, check out this commentary on defensible space as a crucial strategy for lessening your vulnerability in a wildfire:
"Colorado wildfires hold a lesson for Oregonians" by Kristin Babbs, published in the Mail Tribune (Medford), July 24th, 2012. (The Tribune now allows 3 free guest visits for reading articles if you are not a subscriber.)

Will you be doing any landscaping on your property? Check out the OSU Extension Service's brochure, "Fire-Resistant Plants for Oregon Home Landscapes," available online, and from Jackson County's OSU partnership office, the Southern Oregon Research & Extension Center (SOREC), at 569 Hanley Road, Central Point OR 97503; Phone: (541) 776-7371 Fax: (541) 773-7373; Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

HELP WITH FUEL REDUCTION
AND OAK WOODLAND RESTORATION:

For those who are thinking ahead, since these projects need advance planning, here is some information for you to consider:

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, run out of the Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Office, is available to help private landowners restore oak woodland.

"The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program works with private landowners and other partners providing financial and technical assistance to achieve voluntary habitat restoration," according to the Program brochure.

The Program also includes assistance in identifying areas that could benefit from prescribed fire, and in connecting landowners with additional organizational resources in order to help fund and carry out approved prescribed burning plans. (Due to multiple such events during the fall of 2011, prescribed burns now also need to be coordinated with the fire district, partly for fire safety and partly because of the need to limit smoke in the valley.)

Dave Ross, Fish and Wildlife Biologist with the Klamath office, says that they have experience working together with both the Lomakatsi Restoration Project and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, with each organization handling a different aspect of a project, several of which have successfully occurred here in the Colestin valley in recent years.

"All three of us work closely together in partnership fashion to leverage funding, expertise and programs," Ross says.

He encourages anyone interested to:

have a look at the Program landowner brochure: PartnersBrochure.pdf
visit their Fish and Wildlife Service website: www.fws.gov/klamathfallsfwo
contact him directly:

David A. Ross
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
Klamath Falls Fish and Wildlife Office
1936 California Ave.
Klamath Falls, OR 97601

Phone: 541-885-2518
Fax: 541-885-7837
Cell: 541-891-7869
Email: dave_ross@fws.gov

For further information about partner organizations, contact:

The Lomakatsi Restoration Project: Marko Bey, 541-941-6874

The Natural Resources Conservation Service: Erin Kurtz, 541-776-4267 ext. 108

You may have noticed the large fire safety awareness signs that have been in rotation on our fire danger indicator sign structure near Hilt (just south of the CA-OR border) following the end of the 2011 fire season. (The current sign asks, "Do you have a fire plan?" with a diagram of possible escape routes.)

These signs were done and donated to our district by Patty Hood of CalFire. A huge thanks to Patty, for providing these very visible signs, readable from the road, to enhance fire safety in our valley!

During lightning storms, we rely heavily on the Soda Mountain fire lookout, staffed for the past 24 years by Ken Struck and his wife. Situated twelve miles east of Ashland and over 6,000 feet high, with a bird's-eye view of our district, Ken watches storms, and tracks lightning hits, smoke, and new fire starts using binoculars and a firefinder to pinpoint the exact locations.

Soda Mountain is one of ODF's two last full-time manned fire lookouts in the Southwest Oregon District, as people are replaced by technology at fire lookout stations. Paul Fattig's recent article in the Medford Mail Tribune is a tribute to Ken and the work he does, as well as an interesting history of the Soda Mountain lookout station.

We in the Colestin-Hilt district continue to greatly appreciate Ken's watchful presence and long-experienced, knowledgeable assistance from Soda Mountain, particularly during lightning storms, and in general, throughout each fire season.

Read Paul Fattig's article " Fire-watcher era nears end: With cameras increasingly replacing human lookouts, Ken Struck, who mans the Soda Mountain station, is among the last of a rare breed." Originally published on Wed. July 28th, 2010, in the Medford Mail Tribune; available online at: http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100728/NEWS/7280319.

Get the LATEST WEATHER FORECAST for the SOUTHERN OREGON & SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS region using links on our Weather & Fire Weather page. For weather warning updates, check our region on the National Weather Service's website at: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/.

A huge thank you to all who attended and/or volunteered your time for our recent Annual Community Picnic BBQ, on Sunday, September 23rd. (See the 2012 Event Flyer.)

While we had fewer people this year compared to most years, it was a very pleasant, informative as well as social event, enjoyed by all. Neighbors had a chance to visit for a few hours, and everyone got to hear a brief talk by several of our Board members about the District and new developments currently in the works, with an opportunity for input, questions, and responses.

A special thanks to Frank Marin and his crew for manning the hamburger & hot dog grill, Jeanne Marin for preparing the corn on the cob, and to everyone else who prepared salad and other items for the food line, got the cake and supplies from Costco, helped set up, brought the District engines and equipment for display, and cleaned and packed up afterwards. Thanks also to Karen Dwyer for providing free blood pressure checks to all of those who were interested.

A very sincere thanks to all those who purchased our fundraising t-shirts and/or gave contributions to our District for our non-budgeted special equipment fundraising needs. And finally, a big thanks to all of the CalFire crew members who attended in support of our district, and to the Oregon Dept. of Forestry members who attended and brought a fire safety display for this event.

This is how we make it happen - it takes all of us, our whole community, residents and district friends - not only for this annual event, but to keep our all-volunteer fire district going. A hearty thanks to all, and we hope to see you again next year!

~~ANNOUNCEMENT: FIRE ENGINE FOR SALE~~ SOLD!!

Sealed bids were opened at the last board meeting and the fire truck was sold for a minimum bid of $2,500.

Thanks to all who considered placing a bid on this vehicle in support of your local volunteer fire district.

The Colestin Rural Fire District is selling one of our older fire engines: a 1979 Chevy K 30, 4x4, V8, gasoline, fou- speed, includes a 200-gallon tank which pumps 50 gallons per minute. The engine also has four new tires.

The vehicle is also listed on craigslist.com, where you can see photos:

http://medford.craigslist.org/cto/3104651533.html

This vehicle is sold as is, where is, and no warranty is expressed or implied. The engine is located here in the Colestin valley and may be viewed by calling Chief Steve Avgeris at 541-488-1768 or cell 541-821-8339.

A minimum bid of $2,500.00 and a 10% deposit of your bid amount is required. (The 10% is refundable to all non-successful bidders.)

Bids are being accepted beginning July 1, 2012 and will close at midnight on July 15, 2012. Bids will be opened at the Board meeting on July 20th at 6 pm. at the Hilt Church and the successful bidder will be notified with the time frame in which to pick up the engine.

To be considered for the engine, you must complete this APPLICATION form (PDF format) and mail it WITH your deposit check made out to the Colestin Rural Fire District to: CRFD, 1701 Colestin Rd., Ashland, Oregon, 97520.

(If you are unable to print the form from our website, email us with your name and mailing address and we will send you a copy. Be sure to mention that you need a bid sheet for the fire truck.)

Food for thought: Mt. Ashland Ski Area has been raising funds "to recover from the worst snow year in 20 ski seasons." This is what our local snowpack was really like last winter [2011-12], despite the water year report. (Source: The Mail Tribune, Medford, OR., 6/25/12, p. 4A.)

Winter Fire Safety Considerations:

REMINDERS: Clean your stove pipes and/or chimneys if you have not yet done so or if you use your stove regularly, or have a professional do it. (Once a month is the interval recommended for cleaning/maintenance with heavy usage.) This remains one of our most serious problems here in the valley. Minimize the chances of a home heating fire and the risk to yourself, your family, your pets, and your home by taking care of this before and periodically during the wet season if you heat with wood.

See our Stoves & Flue Fires page for more info.; also, "Smoke and fire: Check chimney for hazards" ("Common problems with chimneys are malfunctioning flues, damaged chimney liners and blockages from nesting critters... Before you strike that match, consider a few safety and maintenance tips..." - Mail Tribune).

Also, make sure your smoke detectors are all working, with FRESH batteries.

CAUTION: Home fires are now caused most frequently by candle use, and by placing combustible materials too close to heat sources. Be mindful of this! Never leave a room with a burning candle - always make sure it is out first. And always provide sufficient clearance around any heat source.

REMINDER: Keep your STOVE STACKS and CHIMNEYS clean. Stove pipes should be cleaned before the start of wood-burning season, and once a month thereafter for regular to heavy stove use.

For lots of useful info on stove safety, flue fires, how to prevent flue fires, and how to handle one if it happens, see our Stoves & Flue Fires page.

REPLACE ALL of your SMOKE DETECTOR BATTERIES. Many home fires are discovered too late, not because there are no smoke detectors, BUT BECAUSE THE BATTERIES HAVE FAILED. The few minutes this takes can significantly enhance your home fire protection.
Last December (2010) we sent our district members "Winter Fire Safety & Winter Preparedness Reminders" red cards (folded flyers). These can be viewed and printed here: PDF file format; 2 pages, or 1 page front & back:

Winter Fire Safety & Winter Preparedness Card - Page 1 (print using Vertical alignment in page Set-up)

Winter Fire Safety & Winter Preparedness Card - Page 2 (print using Horizontal alignment in page Set-up)
Based on the types of problems and incidents the District has experienced in the past several winters, we sent out a pamphlet brochure to our district members during the winter of 2008-09, covering many key points of Winter Emergency Preparedness and Home Safety Reminders. For more info and to view or print the brochure, see WINTER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANNING & SAFETY.

During the winter months, keep DRIVEWAYS AND ACCESS ROADS to your residence as clear as possible. We need to be able to reach you in winter - yet snow loads can cause trees and branches overhanging roads or driveways to break, delaying or preventing us from arriving. Keep your driveway plowed, and trim back or remove tree branches near and over driveways, BEFORE potential fire situations require emergency access. Caution Reminder: If power drop lines are involved, call us first. Power companies are NOT responsible for these - property owners are - yet drop lines are dangerous and need special handling. We will try to assist you to locate a qualified professional to do it. MORE INFO: The Jan.-Feb. 2008 issue of The Colestin Valley Buzz community newsletter featured an excellent article explaining electrical drop lines and safety issues: Trees and Electrical Lines Don't Mix! (PDF format).

A ROAD SAFETY REMINDER: Please watch out for Emergency Vehicles on our roadways. Some of us are driving too fast in general, and some people have nearly hit our district vehicles in their haste to get down the road. Not only is this dangerous for everyone, but it jeopardizes our district's effectiveness, particularly during emergencies. We need to be more careful and considerate of others on our roads. And if you hear or see that we are running on an Emergency code (flashing lights and/or siren), PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AND LET OUR VEHICLES PASS. Thank you for your cooperation on this.

Home Safety Reminders:

Do NOT leave home with the clothes dryer still on. Overheating is an all-too-common problem. To lessen this fire danger, clean your dryer filters often, and clean the dryer duct at least once a year.

Make sure that all electrical appliances are turned off before you leave your residence for any length of time.

Preparedness and prevention is your best defense. For further information, see our Home and Personal Safety page, or call us at (541) 488-1768.

A warm thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Fire District PICNIC BBQ on Sunday September 25th, 2011!

And many thanks to all those who helped to make the picnic and the wonderful food happen again this year.

At this year's picnic, a number of District volunteers were recognized for their services to the District; recently retired district veteran Cheri Avgeris received special recognition (see below). Our Events page has more.

Long-time CRFD member Cheri Avgeris retired in January, 2011,from the Fire District after over 28 years of volunteer service to our community. A Board member for nearly all of the past 28 years as well as a firefighter and a First Responder throughout these years, Cheri later became our Medical Director for the District's First Responder Emergency Medical Services.

Recently at our annual community picnic, Cheri was given public recognition and honored for her long years of selflessly dedicated service and commitment to the District, complementing a commemorative plaque presented to her by the Board upon her retirement this past year. A brief overview of Cheri's many contributions is available on our Personnel page.

Fire Service Appreciation Day: According to The Communique, Annual Fire Service Appreciation Day is held in late January every year. In keeping with passage of HJR 25, events are held across the state to recognize and honor the fire service. HJR 25 'encourages all citizens of Oregon to recognize and honor our fire service members for their efforts to keep our citizens safe from the ravages of fire.' Communities across the state have "an opportunity to host a variety of events recognizing members of their local fire departments and districts for their dedication, commitment and sacrifice."

Karen Dwyer, a Co-proprietor of the local ZabaraH Bellydance Company, organized a BENEFIT for the Colestin Rural Fire District this past spring to help raise funds for much-needed life-saving medical or other equipment that is not within our regular budget.

The BELLYDANCE BENEFIT for the Fire District was held on the evening of June 11th at the ZabaraH Dance Studio here in the Colestin valley. The event included an elegant 5-course Moroccan dinner, with entertainment provided by the ZabaraH bellydancers in between courses, and a Raffle.

Thanks to lots of community interest and support, the benefit event sold out, and was a very fun and entertaining evening while helping our local fire district! Thanks to all who purchased tickets both for the dinner and the raffle in support of this benefit!! Event details are on our Community Forum page.

Community Forum page UPDATE: If you provide goods or services locally here in the valley and are also a resident community member, you are welcome to submit your relevant information to us for posting on our Community Forum page. Details.

JACKSON COUNTY FORESTLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND HEARING:

Public meetings followed by a hearing have recently been held for the purpose of explaining Jackson County Forestland-Urban Interface Classification Committee's land identification and classification process, as part of the implementation of the Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act, often referred to as Senate Bill 360.

The Jackson County Forestland-Urban Interface Classification Committee and the Oregon Department of Forestry sent letters to more than 13,000 landowners within Jackson county informing them of five public meetings that were held in January 2011. The meetings were to explain the land identification and classification process performed by the committee, as required by the Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act, often referred to as Senate Bill 360.

The owners of lots affected by the Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act are required to create fuel breaks around their homes and other structures to make homes and other buildings more defensible against wildfire.

For further information, see our Rural-Urban Forest Interface Fire Prevention page.

QUICK TAKES:

For the latest reported news on fires, see:

The Oregon Department of Forestry website at: http://www.swofire.oregon.gov/ and their Wildfires page at: http://www.swofire.oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/fire.shtml, which has links at the top to "Fire Stats, Info and Updates," fires chronologies, and more.For further ODF Southwest Oregon District fire information, see: http://twitter.com/swofire and http://swofire.blogspot.com/, and

The CAL-FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) website at: http://www.fire.ca.gov/, which has links to a listing of fire incidents.

What would you do in a fire emergency? Your local fire district has a plan. Check it out on our Colestin-Hilt Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) page.

2010 was the centennial anniversary of 1910's Big Burn, the firestorm that burned millions of acres in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Also called the Big Blowup of 1910, the firestorm was the result of multiple fires that started in June and merged on August 20th, burning three million acres in just twenty-four hours, and killing 84 people. The U.S. Forest Service headed centennial commemmorations. You can learn more at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/1910-centennial/. The July-Aug. issue of AAA's "Via" magazine (p. 17) also has a short article on this.

Colestin's name (finally spelled correctly!) makes the news: See The Mail Tribune on Sunday, November 16th, 2008, for reporter Paul Fattig's article entitled

"Drop the 'e' and keep your hands up where we can see them: It's Colestin, not Colestine; got it?"

or use the following link:
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081116/NEWS/811160311

Also In This Bulletin:

Upcoming Board Meetings

Jackson County Integrated Fire Plan - Upcoming Community Meetings

UPDATE on the West-Wide Energy Corridor DPEIS & background

Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) News

CWPP Phone Tree and Road Signage Projects

Our FEMA structure fire engine is here

Hilt VFD's new Fire and Rescue Rig

Community Announcements

Top of Bulletin Page

Upcoming Board Meetings:

Next Board Meeting Date

Next Board Meeting:

Friday, May 10th, 2013, at 6:00 PM

at the Hilt Community Church.

The agenda will be posted here prior to the meeting.

Want to know what's happening? Read the Board Minutes! Limited archives also available.

Back to Bulletin List | Top of Bulletin Page

Jackson County Integrated Fire Plan

Planned Community Wildfire Meetings are part of countywide wildfire protection. Discussion topics include information you need to live safely in wildfire country, the fire planning process, how your neighborhood can be more wildfire safe, and meeting your local fire service providers. Representatives from local Jackson County Fire Districts, Oregon Department of Forestry, Rogue River/Siskiyou National Forest, and Medford BLM attend these meetings.

For information about any currently planned community meetings, contact:

Randy Iverson, Fire Chief Jackson County Fire District #3 (541) 826-7100
Brian Ballou, Fire Prevention Specialist, Oregon Dept. of Forestry (541) 664-3328
Neil Benson, Jackson County Integrated Fire Plan (541) 482-4682
Chris Chambers, Wildfire Fuels Reduction Coordinator, Ashland Fire & Rescue (541) 552-206

View ODF's September, 2005, News bulletin as a pdf file.
(This requires Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher, FREE if you need to download it.)

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UPDATE on the West-Wide Energy Corridor DPEIS
- the Decision & background

The WEST WIDE ENERGY CORRIDOR DPEIS [Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement]:

UPDATE: In August, 2008, the BLM's Medford district office published a "Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan" for the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument which includes information indicating that the energy corridor under discussion has been sited near the Klamath area and to the east of Ashland instead of running through our valley. Copies of this document are available from the BLM at its Medford District Office, 3040 Biddle Rd., Medford, OR., 97504.

The following concerns CRFD's position on the federal West-wide Energy Corridor DPEIS (Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement), concerning the 3,500-foot wide power corridor that could have run directly through our district. The public comment period on the draft plans ended on February 14th, 2008.

At the January, 2008, Board meeting, Lisa [Buttrey] provided the Board with background information and maps, pointed out issues of concern, and suggested talking points about this project.

The law allowing for the creation of this project was passed in 2005; the plan itself was released in mid-November of 2007. The plan is to have a 2/3rds-mile-wide pipeline/power-line corridor in the Valley. A number of these corridors are proposed throughout the west to handle the power sources (propane, gas, etc.) that is needed to keep up with increasing fuel needs in the country.

After discussion at the January meeting, the Board took the position that this area is not the best to locate this project. Not only are there environmental and geological concerns, but also the financial costs of going through the Siskiyou Mountains would be astronomical. Areas of eastern Oregon, which are flat and uninhabited, would be a far better place to locate the project.

The Board passed a motion directing the fire district, as the local agency, to send a letter outlining these concerns, as the project is currently proposed. Peggy Moore, as the Board Chair, was appointed to write the letter on behalf of the District.

The CRFD's letter in response to the West Wide Energy Corridor DPEIS follows:

January 20, 2008

West-wide Energy Corridor D[P]EIS
9700 S Cass Avenue – Bldg 900, Mail Stop 4
Argonne, IL 60439

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At our January 18th Board of Directors meeting, we passed a unanimous motion to provide written comments on the proposed Corridor (#4-247) through the Siskiyou Crest from Oregon into California. As the fire protection agency that is responsible for this area (for both fire and emergency medical) we STRONGLY oppose locating the corridor in this area.

There are a variety of reasons for our concerns but we believe the environmental, geological and financial arguments are the most salient and deserve your focused attention.

. The Colestin Valley and Siskiyou Pass area are well known as unstable in terms of their geology. Siskiyou literally means “moving mountain”. Slumps, shifts and collapses are fairly frequent in the area. As a result of one of these natural occurrences the Colestin Valley must now employ a receiver to rebroadcast telephone signals because the cable was rendered unusable by earth movement along its route.

. Interstate 5 is a vital transportation highway from Mexico to Alaska. Many of the trucks using this route on a daily basis carry toxic wastes, including nuclear waste. In addition, essential supplies of all kinds are hauled on this route day and night. Accidents happen frequently, sometimes closing the highway or rending one lane or another impassable.

. This particular stretch along Interste 5 (proposed corridor #4-247) is the longest stretch of 6% grade on the interstate system. Along with instability and bottleneck problems, the expense of putting lines across the Siskiyou Pass would be enormous. There are certainly locations in the state of Oregon that are flat, have far less interstate traffic and reside in more geologically stable environments. Areas in sparsely populated Eastern Oregon might be a consideration.

. The proposal, as we understand it, will make the Klamath River dam substation a destination for the proposed energy corridor. In doing so, you are targeting a substation connected to a dam that may soon be dismantled when court-ordered priority concerns for Klamath River salmon prevent re-licensing of Klamath River dams.

. The energy corridor segment, which is proposed for California’s Jenny Creek Falls, is a Redding BLM area of critical environmental concern.

We appreciate that when notified by many concerned citizens you moved the original 3,500 foot energy corridor out of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, but we still believe that for the reasons stated above, putting it in this region at all is a serious mistake.

We are a small, entirely volunteer fire district that, for 25 years, has provided needed fire and emergency medical services to the residents of our community. We simply do not have the resources, nor are more likely to appear, to support a crisis occasioned by a “mega” corridor .The location of our area makes it difficult (and at times impossible) for outside agencies to respond in a timely fashion.

We believe, once these facts are reviewed and the costs of locating the corridor in this area thoroughly researched that [the desirability of] finding a more geologically friendly, more cost effective and less populated traffic area will become clear.

We would be happy to provide further information to you on this matter. Thank you for your attention to our concerns and we hope that you will find a more hospitable location for this project.

Sincerely yours,

Peggy A. Moore
Chairperson
Colestin Rural Fire District
Board of Directors

c. Chief Avgeris
Board

The comment period ended February 14th, 2008. Thank you to all those of you who submitted your comments to the West-wide Energy Corridor D[P]EIS planners.

For further information, see the West Side Energy Corridor website:

http://corridoreis.anl.gov

For a more complete, easy-to-understand summary of the plan as it may affect us locally, together with issues to consider, maps, and further information, see the (PDF-format) article "West-wide Energy Corridors Routes Planned," published in the Jan.-Feb. 2008 issue of The Colestin Valley Buzz, and re-published here with publisher Lisa Buttrey's permission.

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Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) News:

In June, 2005, the Fire Plan Committee (John Ames, Elaine Shanafelt, and Lisa Buttrey) completed and released the Colestin-Hilt Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) that was in the works for over a year. In addition to a public presentation of the main points of the plan by Committee Chair and Coordinator Lisa Buttrey at the community barbeque on Saturday, June 18th, the plan is now available in detail here on our site, through our Colestin-Hilt Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) page.

"The completed plan," according to Lisa Buttrey, "has an Intro section, a Description section, a brief 'Risks' section, and finally the meat of the document in the last section, 'The Action Plan,' followed by the 'Appendices.' "The Action Plan gives detailed ideas for things to do and calls for volunteers to do them. [We] hope to get a few 'Action' items assigned to willing takers (from outside the fire department proper!)."

The Plan has an enormous wealth of information in it, and reflects a tremendous amount of time, extensive research, many meetings with other fire agency and county officials, and hard work. The result is a document that provides a working plan of action for our community to pro-actively achieve a much better level of fire prevention and protection and disaster preparedness than we have ever known. We are also now in compliance, ahead of schedule, and coordinated with the County's new regional fire plan. Check out the Plan on our CWPP page.

Also of interest are some very interesting articles that were edited out of the final CWPP: "Geology of the Districts," a summary by local resident Russell Juncal, and according to Lisa, "very readable for all residents." The second is "Fire Regimes, Fire History and Forest Conditions in the Klamath-Siskiyou Region: An Overview and Synthesis of Knowledge, by Evan J. Frost and Rob Sweeney. Lisa states that this is "a scientific paper, quite lengthy at 59 pages, but full of info about fire history, fire regimes, suppression history, logging impact on fire, etc." A third article that was not considered part of the official plan but that is also relevant is a Homeowner's Safety Checklist from the Fire Safe Council. All of these articles are now available through our CWPP page as well.

Josephine County's Plan, by comparison: On January 18, 2006, the Oregon Dept. of Forestry announced in a press release that Josephine County's Integrated Fire Plan has been awarded statewide recognition: "Josephine County was recently chosen to receive the 2005 Partners for Disaster Resistance and Resilience Outstanding Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. Josephine County was recognized for the collaborative planning effort that resulted in the Josephine County Integrated Fire Plan..." To learn more about how our neighboring county has prepared a fire plan that has now been recognized throughout the state of Oregon, read the full text of ODF's Josephine County Integrated Fire Plan press release (Jan. 18, 2006).

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CWPP Phone Tree and Road Signage Projects

The "New & Improved Emergency Phone Tree" and Road Signage are two other developments related to our Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Read more.

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OUR FEMA STRUCTURE-FIRE ENGINE

After nearly a two-year wait while CDF built the engine for us, and after outfitting it with parts, our long-awaited FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)-financed structure fire engine, Engine No. 44-13,was finished and put into full-time service in the fall of 2004. It is housed at Station No. 1 at Colestin, in the center of the district. Photos and more info.

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HILT VOLUNTEER HOSE COMPANY'S FIRE & RESCUE RIG

During part of the 2004 fire season, Colestin and Hilt volunteers helped staff the Hornbrook CDF Station. The proceeds from that effort enabled the Hilt Department to procure a new rescue rig (Hilt Rescue Vehicle 44-41). Photo on Vehicles page.

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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS:

COUGAR ALERT:

We need to continue to be aware of cougars near our homes. For updated details on local cougar attacks, information on cougar behavior, and safety tips for cougar encounters, see our community page.

DEAD DEER:

SPECIAL NOTE: Dead deer have been found in our area, due to a virus disease. If you find one, the OR. Dept. of Fish & Wildlife requests that you report it to Steve Neimela at (541) 826-8774 x239. See our community forum page for details.

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CRFD Site Intro | Bulletin Board | Contact Us

CRFD'S Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2013-2014

HELP WITH FUEL REDUCTION AND OAK WOODLAND RESTORATION:

Winter Fire Safety Considerations:

Home Safety Reminders:

JACKSON COUNTY FORESTLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND HEARING:

QUICK TAKES:

Also In This Bulletin:

Upcoming Board Meetings:

Jackson County Integrated Fire Plan

UPDATE on the West-Wide Energy Corridor DPEIS - the Decision & background

Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) News:

CWPP Phone Tree and Road Signage Projects

OUR FEMA STRUCTURE-FIRE ENGINE

HILT VOLUNTEER HOSE COMPANY'S FIRE & RESCUE RIG

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS:

HELP WITH FUEL REDUCTION
AND OAK WOODLAND RESTORATION:

UPDATE on the West-Wide Energy Corridor DPEIS
- the Decision & background