Pacific City
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Blessing of the Fleet planned for Saturday, June 5............................................... 8 ‘Click It or Ticket’ campaign reminds drivers to buckle up..............................................12
A Path to the Edge
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Neskowin Beach Golf Course is back in the swing of things.............................14
Vol. 15, No. 369 • May 21, 2021 • FREE!
Ready to Roll
Dems, Republicans come together for clean-up effort
First phase of Pacific City Skatepark to open for skaters on Friday, May 28 Defensible space hailed as defense against possible wildfires With an unusually dry spring and little rain expected as the area moves into the summer, the Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District, together with the Oregon State Fire Marshal and Oregon Department of Forestry, is urging extreme caution when it comes to the potential for wildfires and the havoc they can play on communities. “Last year, we were very fortunate that we didn’t have one of the fires (threaten here in South Tillamook County),” said Fire Chief James Oeder. “Some of the areas that concerns me is some of the area in Pacific City where beach grass is right up next to houses — (particularly those with) cedar shakes and roofs.” He also noted that it could be a very active wildland fire season due to the lack of precipitation. “With the weather predictions we are seeing and with the whole state being classified as being in a drought — and that includes all of the coast — the bottom line is it’s drying out tremendously fast,” Oeder added. “We’re not seeing the amount of rain we need for saturating the ground, and how low rivers are already is not a good indication.” With that in mind, Nestucca Fire is focusing on the importance of defensible space around homes, a prevention technique that is billed as an important tool in saving homes should a wildfire
threaten a housing development. There are several ways to do this says the state’s fire marshal office. These include clearing roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris, and pine needles that could catch embers. As well, it is recommended that homeowners ensure their roof is in good repair and make an effort to move any flammable material away from exterior walls. Examples of flammable material includes mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, and firewood piles. The fire marshal’s office also says it’s important to remove anything stored underneath decks or porches and to give homes a non-combustible area where a fire in the landscape cannot reach the home. They say it’s important to strive for a 5-foot perimeter. Another source of fuel for fires is grass. Because of this, the recommendation is to keep lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches. Finally, the fire marshal’s office recommends removing ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns. Another part of this suggestions suggests pruning trees up to 6 to 10 feet from the ground; shorter trees do not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height. “Without having defensible space around your home, all it would take is someone walking down the road and throwing a cigarette out or driving down the road and having hot sparks come out of
we are open!
their car’s catalytic converter,” Oeder said. “These are enough to start grass on fire.” The fire department is also doing their part to prepare. “We’re ramping up to do even more wildland fire training than we normally would do,” Oeder added. Those efforts will include a live burning exercise designed to teach firefighters how to advance around hand lines during fires. For more tips on how to create a defensible space around your home, visit: https://www. oregon.gov/osp/programs/sfm/Pages/WildlandUrban-Interface.aspx. Additional wildfire preparedness and prevention information is also available at the websites for Keep Oregon Green at https://keeporegongreen.org/, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s restrictions map at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/Pages/ fireprevention.aspx, OSU’s new Fire Program at https://extension.oregonstate.edu/fire-program and OSU’s Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer tool at https://oregonexplorer.info/topics/wildfirerisk?ptopic=62. Nestucca Fire also has printed material available at their Hebo station that details safe ways to get rid of debris and ways to develop defensible spaces around homes.
Following what many have described as a tumultuous 2020 election cycle, the two leaders of Tillamook’s Republican and Democratic Central Committees put their heads together to share their concerns for how negatively divisiveness impacts our society, our communities and our ability to work together to solve the very real problems we face. Tillamook County Republican Central Committee (TCRCC) Chair Mike Sears and Tillamook County Democratic Central Committee (TCDCC) Chair Fred Bassett reached out to Tillamook County Commissioner Mary Faith Bell for an idea on a project that both parties could work on together for the betterment of the county. Commissioner Bell suggested a beach cleanup event for the South Tillamook County community of Tierra Del Mar, which has had its share of difficulties during the past year. With that idea, the Bridge the Gap Beach Cleanup was born. It will occur beginning at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, June 1, the day immediately following Memorial Day Weekend. Both Bassett and Sears expressed concerns over how the divisiveness and angry rhetoric of the past several months have overshadowed the fact that residents of Tillamook County have a long history of working together — regardless of political differences — whenever there’s a clear need. With any threat, like the fires last fall or the county’s perpetual floods, community members come out to support those most in danger or most affected. “People work side-by-side to clear debris, sandbag buildings or deliver food to those in need,” Bassett said, “and no one asks or cares how the person working next to you voted.” According to organizers, the Bridge the Gap Beach Cleanup is intended to reinvigorate that spirit and to remind the community at large of the fact that this energy of common concern and action is an integral part of what makes Tillamook County the special place it is. Everyone, regardless of political persuasion, is invited to participate. Bags will be provided and Sears has committed to haul the refuse to the transfer station. Tillamook County will waive the transfer station fees for refuse from the cleanup. Those attending are urged to bring gloves and to wear appropriate clothing for the unpredictable Oregon Coast weather. Parking for those participating will be available along Sand Lake Road at the south end of Tierra Del Mar, past the last residence. A central gathering and information station will be designated by an American Flag in that area of Sand Lake Road. This is also the area where disposal bags will be collected. Participants are urged to not block driveways or trespass on private property to approach the beach. For more information, please contact TCDCC Chair Fred Bassett at 503-8129141, or TCRCC Chair Mike Sears at 503-965-7736. Information about the event is posted on the TCRCC website at tillamookgop.org, and on the TCDCC website at tillcodems.org. Join the fun and help Tillamook County Republicans and Democrats “bridge the gap.”
ALL THREE COASTAL BREWPUBS ARE OPEN FOR SEATED DINING
Join us for lunch or dinner at one of our three coastal brewpubs - Pacific City, Tillamook, or Cannon Beach. All three locations are open with Seated Indoor Dining and Patio Seating, plus our popular Curbside and Takeout options. Fly over and enjoy favorite seasonal Raspberried at Sea Volume II on the patio or our new draft offering, Hang Ten Double Hazy India Pale Ale. Visit PelicanBrewing.com to stay up to date on all our current offerings, hours, and dining options. Cheers!