Before It’s News – by Deborah Dupre
A Red Flag warning has been issued in southwest Oregon as more lightning is predicted in the region’s historic inferno. Due to dangerously unhealthy air, masks are now recommended for children and the elderly in the Medford area, according to the Department of Environmental Quality and Medford Alert on Wednesday evening.
The Red Flag warning for thunderstorms producing abundant lightning on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is in effect through midnight on Thursday, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry, Southwest Oregon.
Along with some rain, 914 lightning strikes hit Oregon statewide overnight Tuesday and Wednesday, many in areas already burning in the nation’s worst fire today — and possibly in history if predictions are accurate.
“We expect to keep getting this for the rest of the week,” said Jeree Mills, a spokeswoman at the federal fire center in Portland, about the lightning and rain. “It can help, or it can cause major activity. It’s hard to tell.”
Fire crews are responding to 13 new fires on the Rogue River in SiskiyouNational Forest. They were each sparked by Tuesday night’s lightning storm.
“As of noon today, 12 fires were reported on the High Cascade Ranger District and one on the Wild Rivers Ranger District,” reports the Oregon Department of Forestry.
“The U.S. Forest Service anticipated this storm and positioned people and engines to respond to reported smokes. Some areas of the Forest are receiving light rain, which is assisting with fire suppression efforts.
Fire danger throughout southwest Oregon remains extreme. Fire officials ask the public to be familiar with current public use restrictions.
There are presently four major areas burning, each named. That number has decreased as some of the uncontained fires merged.
On the southern edge of Whiskey fire in Douglas County, fire burned vigorously out of Beaver Creek, jumping lines and roads. Crews there were told to retreat to safety zones.
West of Whiskey Fire, is the Big Windy Fire where a 19-year-old water truck driver died in a crash Tuesday. Fire crews reported keeping flames from jumping the Rogue River to the north.
“This area had three separate fires until Tuesday, when they merged into one,” Associated Press reported.
At the Douglas Complex, that had been the worst group of fires, residents of approximately 60 homes under an evacuation order have been told they could return home.
Witching Hour
It was unclear exactly what whipped up that fire, but local microclimates often make turbulent conditions between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“It’s kind of our witching hour,” she said.
The National Guard along with local and interstate fire workers comprise some 5000 responders in the region.
“Currently in #Medford the DEQ #AQI in the UNHEALTHY level,” MedfordAlert tweeted Tuesday evening. “Be advised. Masks recommended for children/elderly N95 or P100.”
Sources: SWOFIRE, Associated Press
The good people of Oregon (especially the Shivleys) have my best wishes of good luck, and my prayers for 3 days and 3 nights of heavy rain, with no lightning.
I second that.
Prayers & thoughts for as much rain that is needed (No lightening) to put the fire(s) out and everyones safety/protection.
flash bang theory by pattie b on enenews is said to be a possibility for explosions worldwide due to whats in the air from fukushima. not sure if its related to this. i just thought i’d mention it.
I see bill after bill for renaming POST OFFICES in Oregon, how about a bill to teach in public school how to make a CAMPFIRE without burning the forest down?
Maybe shootin could be part of the course? As in what happens if your caught lighting a fire on purpose.
I suspect arson, myself. They do that when the politics suck. Then the local news can focus on local fire fight heros (getting paid on your dime)
In Sacramento, we have homeless campfires now. Maybe fly some aircraft over them with flyers they can burn that teach them how to make safe FIRE!?
ONLY PROBLEM IS, all the while I talk about this I don’t talk about NSA, FBI, FISA, Bengazi, Al Queda, Banksters, oath breakers, agenda 21, the UN.
I was kind of thinking the same. Actually I was thinking that they would blame it on some pot growers up in the hills or on some meth lab.
Yep
Henry, are you still getting all that heavy smoke in town from the nearby fire that you were talking about on The Word a few days ago?
I sure hope they’ve got that one under control, my friend.
We have a heavy cloud cover right now, but the smoke is still present. Each time it rains, the air is clear for a short while, but the few breaths of fresh air is very welcome.
Glad it’s staying clear of you so far. Hoping it stays that way.
So where is the medical responce teams. Why aren`t they out there in oregon handing out breathing aperatuses to people that may need them? Ya know, like the red cross. They are never around when we all need them here are they.