Wednesday, October 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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— This guide is provided to you as a courtesy from your Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District —
Pre-position task forces touring Redmond Air Center.
Unprecedented Lightning Storms
TEST FIREFIGHTERS The 2022 Central Oregon wildfire season started later than in years past. The relatively mild fire season was interrupted by several lightning storms in July and August. The storms generated more than 1,000 lightning strikes and ignited more than 100 fires. Rapid response and coordination between Federal, State and local firefighting agencies kept the fires small with a couple exceptions. On July 31, The Fly Creek Fire was reported near the community of Three Rivers. The fire quickly grew to 280 acres and resulted in the issuance of level three evacuation notices for portions of Perry South and Monty Campgrounds. Federal and State firefighters were supported with air tankers and heavy equipment to contain the fire. Several other fires were reported on the Sisters Ranger District but all were kept small through rapid fire attack.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT WILDFIRES IN OREGON THE DOUBLE CREEK FIRE • 8-30-2022 • 157,320 acres burned CEDAR CREEK FIRE • 8-01-2022 • 113,637 acres burned RUM CREEK FIRE • 8-17-2022 • 21,347 acres burned STURGILL FIRE • 8-22-2022 • 20,192 acres burned NEBO FIRE • 8-25-2022 • 12,600 acres burned CROCKETS KNOB FIRE • 8-22-2022 • 4,331 acres burned GOAT MOUNTAIN FIRE • 8-23-2022 • 536 acres burned
photo by Samuel Pyke
Senate Bill 762 Investments
BENEFIT SISTERS COUNTRY
Oregon’s Legislature passed a comprehensive wildfire bill (SB 762) in the 2021 legislative session that provided funding for risk reduction and enhanced emergency response capacity across the state. Two new positions were funded in Deschutes County including a Fire Risk Reduction Specialist and a Regional Mobilization Coordinator. These two positions have already had a significant impact in Central Oregon. In addition to the new positions, the Office of State Fire Marshal funded a Wildfire Season Staffing Grant. This grant provided local fire departments up to $35,000 in funding to hire seasonal firefighting staff. The additional staffing was designed to put more firefighters on the scene of wildland fires in an effort to keep fires small. The SistersCamp Sherman Fire District received a grant under the program and hired six part-time staff for the summer wildfire season. The additional firefighters were used on several local wildland fires during the extreme lightning events. Two other programs funded under Senate Bill 762 that had a direct impact in Sisters Country this wildfire season include the “Immediate Response” and
“Pre-Positioning” initiatives. The immediate response initiative provides state reimbursement for fire departments outside of Central Oregon to immediately respond to fires across county lines. Central Oregon received firefighters and engines from Marion and Clackamas Counties for the Big Canyon Fire in the Three Rivers Sub-Division. Central Oregon fire departments were also able to provide aid under the Immediate Response Program to the Van Meter Fire, 13 miles southeast of Klamath Falls. The pre-positioning program provides funding to move firefighting task forces around the state based on risk and imminent threats. Central Oregon received two task forces of personnel and equipment during the extreme periods of wildfire risk this summer. The task forces included a mix of five fire engines and water tenders along with a task force leader to provide leadership and supervision for the firefighters. The task forces were based in Redmond for several days but received training and orientation in the Sisters, Camp Sherman, and Black Butte Ranch communities. Oregon’s growing wildfire risk will require continued investments in prevention and emergency response.
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Wednesday, October 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Prepare Now For OUTDOOR DEBRIS BURNING
Every fall, outdoor debris burning opens back up after the summer fire season comes to an end and local officials determine it’s safe to do so. A start date for outdoor debris burning has not yet been set locally, but if you are a resident within the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District, there are some steps you can take now to prepare for open burning. The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District utilizes an online registration system for burning. The online system can be accessed by visiting www.sistersfire.com, or the “Burn Permits” app available in both the Apple and Google Play stores. The Burn Permits app can be downloaded directly to your smartphone. Residents in the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District should register their address and create burning permits using the online system.
Residents that have previously registered their address in the system should still check burning status daily and create a permit for each day they intend to burn. The requirement to check in each day is based on changing atmospheric and weather conditions such as wind or air dryness. The Fire District’s on-duty shift commanders will make a determination and update the system before 8 a.m. each day regarding whether burning will be allowed within the District. Safety during open burn season is of the utmost importance. The online reporting system allows Fire District staff the ability to see who is burning on a daily basis, immediately notify users of changing conditions, message important fire safety information, ensure that those planning to burn are aware of the City
of Sisters outdoor burn ban, and that the right jurisdiction is being notified of the planned burn. Residents are strongly encouraged to contact their local fire protection agencies for additional burning information and regulations. Please note that some municipalities such as the City of Sisters do not allow yard debris burning at any time during the year within their jurisdictions, and certain homeowner’s associations may have further restrictions in place. Residents in the Cloverdale Fire District can visit www.cloverdalefire.com/burning-reg to register for a burn permit. Residents in Black Butte Ranch Fire District should contact the fire department at 541-595-2288 to schedule a burn.
Wildfire smoke and health risks Although we were able to get through most of the summer without the wildfire smokefilled days that Central Oregon has seen over the past few years, the last month has seen a return of hazy days and smoky nights. Wildfire smoke contains particulate matter 2.5 microns or less that can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream, increasing the chance for heart and lung ailments if exposed at high levels for long periods of time, especially for sensitive groups. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, individuals at greater risk of health effects from wildfire smoke include those with cardiovascular or respiratory disease,
older adults, children, and pregnant women. When particulate matter is at unhealthy levels, health authorities recommend that people stay indoors. While residents can view current air quality conditions at Oregon’s DEQ Air Quality Index, these monitoring networks do not capture air quality conditions in all communities. For this reason, it’s important for residents to gauge air quality conditions where they live and take appropriate actions to protect themselves. Look for short-term hourly data or information within the past hour. Even if a monitor may show Green or generally good air quality, if smoke is present in your area be
sure to protect yourself as necessary for your health. The chart below describes the health risk rating of different smoke levels. It includes information on how the Department of Environmental Quality classifies smoke levels for 24-hour and hourly exposure in more detail. The EPA has assigned a specific color to each Air Quality Index (AQI) category to make it easier for people to understand whether air pollution is reaching unhealthy levels in their communities. For example, the color orange means that conditions are “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” while red means that conditions may be “unhealthy for everyone,” and so on.
AIR QUALITY INDEX LEVELS OF HEALTH CONCERN
NUMERICAL VALUE
MEANING
GOOD
0-50
Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
MODERATE
51-100
Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS
101-150
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
UNHEALTHY
151-200
Everyone may be begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious heath effects.
VERY UNHEALTHY
201-300
Health alert: Everyone may experience more serious health effects.
HAZARDOUS
301-500
Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 31, 2022 HALLOWEEN SAFETY FAIR
Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District 301 S. Elm Street • 6 to 8 p.m. Stop by for treats, safety information, fun and games, and a visit to our Spooky Haunted Maze.
Month of December SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS TOY AND GIFT DRIVE
Spirit of Christmas Collection Day Drive through starting at 9 a.m. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District 301 S. Elm Street
December 25, 2022 CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY DINNER
Begins at 1 p.m. • Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Community Hall 301 S. Elm Street Free to all community members.
Wednesday, October 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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Halloween Decorations & Fire Safety
Dried flowers, crepe paper, cornstalks and decorative scarecrows may make your home look festive for fall, but these classic decorations can also pose a scary fire risk. The National Fire Protection Association says flammable decorations are the first things to ignite in 900 reported home fires each year; two of every five of these incidents start by a candle.
Decorate safely and keep these tips in mind:
• Don’t put decorations near open flames and other heat sources, such as light bulbs and heaters. • Make sure that children’s costumes are made with fire retardant materials. • Check that any decorative lights have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory. Examine each set of lights for broken sockets, frayed wires or loose connections, and discard any damaged sets. Be careful not to overload sockets when plugging in lights and other electronic decorations. • Consider glow sticks or battery-operated candles instead of real candles when lighting your jack-o’-lanterns or other luminaries. If you do use real candles, light them with long, fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter. Keep
Home Heating Tips No matter what type of device you use to heat your home, making sure your heating devices and/or systems are in good working order is an important part of learning some fall fire safety tips. During the spring and summer months there is a good chance items have been placed or fallen on top or in front of heaters. Verify that everything you need to keep your home warm throughout fall and winter is in good working order before you experience the first cold snap of the season.
CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEM • Get your central heating system cleaned, inspected, and serviced by a certified HVAC (heating, venting, and air conditioning) contractor every year before using it. • Regularly replace furnace filters. • If you have a gas heater, make sure that you have a sufficient quantity of fully functioning carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home.
lit decorations off of doorsteps, yards and sidewalks where excited trick-or-treaters may knock them over.
• Check that no decorations are blocking your home’s exits or pathways, so you have a clear escape route in case of an emergency.
SPACE HEATER/ BASEBOARD/ELECTRIC WALL HEATER • Make sure that any electric heaters are surrounded by at least three feet of empty space. This is especially important this time of year as items may have been placed in front of, or on top of, heaters over the summer. • Never place clothing or any other objects on a space heater to dry. • Do not place space heaters near furniture or drapery. • Turn space heaters off when you leave the house or go to bed. • Avoid storing any combustible items near heaters.
FIREPLACE • Get your chimney inspected each year to make sure that it is safe. • Hire a chimney sweep to clean out your chimney every fall. • Repair any cracks in fireplaces. • Use fireplace screens to keep sparks and fire debris inside the fireplace. • Do not ever use gasoline to start a fire in the fireplace. • Never leave a fire unattended. • Make sure that combustible materials are not stored within three feet of your fireplace. • For natural gas fireplaces, get all connections and lines inspected before use each season. • Remember that outdoor fireplaces can be just as dangerous as indoor units, and observe all safety precautions when using them.
TIME CHANGES MEAN
BATTERY CHANGES
Get in the habit of changing the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors every fall and spring when changing the clocks for Daylight Savings Time. It is also a good idea to make it standard procedure in your household to verify that all fire extinguishers are fully charged and in working order when you adjust the clocks each season.
HOME SAFETY DID YOU KNOW?
• Falls are the leading cause of hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries among Oregon’s older adults. • Falls are a leading cause of injury and death among Oregonians age 65 and older. • Most fatal falls occur at home. The Sisters Camp-Sherman Fire District offers local senior citizens a free one-on-one review and consultation at their home about maximizing their safety concerning fire and fall risks. Services are conducted by a team of volunteers, many of whom are seniors. Our concern comes from our experience and knowledge that seniors belong to an age group most likely to need emergency medical or fire services. These emergency calls could be averted by ensuring your home environment is free of hazards and enhanced with aids that reduce the chance of an accident. Our goal is to keep you safe, healthy, and living independent in your cherished home. To schedule a personal home safety inspection, please submit a form at www.sistersfire.com.
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Wednesday, October 5, 2022 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District
JOIN THE TEAM
— BY KATY YODER —
Being a firefighter is a dream for many people. Just watch students looking in awe at a fire truck, or their beaming smiles as they try on a real firefighter’s helmet and turnout gear. For some, later on, that dream will become a reality, but for most it’s an unrealized desire — but that can change. Living in the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District (SCSFD) provides opportunities to join professional firefighters and other emergency responders as a volunteer. Roles range from fighting fires to driving equipment, representing SCSFD in the schools, providing support to victims, working in the office and bringing food and water during extended fire operations… and that’s just some of the volunteer options. The ways to serve are vast, as are the rewards for supporting the community. Right now, the SCSFD is focusing on recruiting more volunteer firefighters into their ranks for the Camp Sherman area. Some of their volunteers are aging out of their more physical volunteer roles into more of a support capacity. A good example of that is Phyllis and Tom Williamson of Camp Sherman. Phyllis and Tom were emergency medical responders (EMR) for eight years. They recently transitioned to being members of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Corps, which helps support the Fire District with several non-operational duties such as: teaching CPR/First Aid classes, installing address signs, and support on large incidents. Phyllis sees the need firsthand for adding additional volunteers to the current four firefighting volunteers in the Camp Sherman area. “We have three younger men volunteering in Camp Sherman; that’s wonderful but we need some new blood,” she said. SCSFD staff are looking to add at least three more firefighter volunteers to the Camp Sherman roster in the next few months. Phyllis can’t say enough about the extensive training offered
to volunteers. “Sisters Fire is fantastic as far as the support and training you get,” she said. As of February 1, 2022, surveys conducted nationally and throughout Oregon, show recent counts of volunteer firefighters have dropped 17 percent since 1984. Although the community of Camp Sherman receives a career response from Sisters on each call, as well as Black Butte Ranch on critical medical and all fire calls, the District relies on volunteers who live within the community of Camp Sherman to provide initial response on medical and fire incidents and to relay valuable call information to career staff coming from Sisters and Black Butte Ranch. Fire department staff understand that the time commitment needed for firefighter training can be a hindrance for some potential volunteers. SCSFD is looking at innovative ways to be more flexible for volunteer firefighters by offering online training, operational training within the basin, and potentially seasonal options. Current SCSFD volunteer Abraham GonzalezReyes runs a home design and 3-D rendering business out of Sisters and lives in Camp Sherman. Inspired by his stepfather-in-law, Mark Foster’s volunteer work, Gonzalez-Reyes decided to volunteer. “I’m from Mexico and have been the first one
Left to Right: Tom Haynes, Deputy Chief Tim Craig, Ben Duda, Abraham Gonzalez-Reyes, Brian Schultz
showing up on a scene and constantly being needed for help. That’s my natural calling. I just have an instinct to help during emergencies and dangerous situations. With the people around firefighters and the Sisters station, everybody treats you with respect, support, and affection. We are constantly helping each other. We all belong to the department, which creates a great group of friends. Your family gets bigger,” said Gonzalez-Reyes. Past volunteer Gary Lovegren worked with the SCSFD for a total of 35 years. In 1981, he joined as a volunteer. He enjoyed his work as a firefighter medic and decided to turn it into a career. “They invited me to get my EMT-1 designation. I continued going back to school to get additional certifications and became a medic,” said Lovegren. He moved up through the ranks and became the team officer, then five years after that became the Camp Sherman volunteer fire chief. “The reason I chose to do it was the fact that you can help people,” he said. “Everybody you go see has a problem that you get to try and solve. It’s different every time you go out. It’s exciting to go on a call, and extremely rewarding for those who like to do service for other people. That’s what I enjoyed most about it. It gives you some real purpose.” For those who’ve been thinking about volunteering and getting involved with the SCSFD, both past and present volunteers invite you to give it a try. The new skills learned on the job and through training drills can be invaluable during an emergency — either yours or someone else’s. To learn more about volunteering with the SCSFD, contact Karla Cross-Green, recruitment and retention coordinator, at 541.549.0771. Visit www.sisters fire.com for more information and access to a volunteer application and background release form.