Thousands in the Line of Fire in SW Oregon

KGW TV/AP ^ | 31 July 2002 | Jeff Barnard

[backhoe]

The "level of craziness" of these people astounds me.

Think of all the animals and birds killed by this- some panic and run/fly right into the fire. Whereas a logger with a chainsaw, the beastie will just move away from, and come back when he's gone.

[EBUCK]

I think the latter is true (precautionary clearing of the raodway for evacuation.

EBUCK

[Grampa Dave]

It would make sense to close it just in case there is an emergency evacuation.

That way it could become one way south bound. That would enable the road to carry twice as many vehicles southbound and at a higher rate of speed in many areas.

[Paulus Invictus]

May we send our local whacos too? We have a lot of them with romantic names like SUWA, the Grand Canyon Trust, the Park Service, Fish and Wildlife, BLM, the Forest Service and numerous similar groups. They could do with some firefighting experience and I like your suggestions, although they do seem a bit on the merciful side...

[Granof8]

Highway 199 is closed on the west side from Jed Smith park to the Oregon border. Should still be open to the east for evacuation of the folks in the Illinois Valley area. Here's another from the Curry Coastal Pilot: LATEST FIRE INFORMATION, 5 P.M. TUESDAY Published: July 30, 2002 See related web site link(s) at the end of the story: Dear readers, As the newsroom prepares Wednesday's full report for the Curry Coastal Pilot, here's the latest official reports on the massive fires burning to the east of us: Heavy emphasis is being placed on fighting the Shelly Creek Fire, which has forced the evacuation of Patrick Creek Lodge, Patrick Creek Campground, several residences, Bar-O Boys Ranch and the closure of Highway 199 from Jed Smith State Park to the Oregon-California border. The 200-acre fire is located northwest of the lodge Crews are working around the clock and hope to contain the fire by Friday, Aug. 3. Once contained, officials expect it to run about 1.25 miles along the north side of Highway 199 northeast of Patrick Creek Lodge. The highway may be re-opened at that time, if conditions are safe. On the two larger fires, Florence Fire southeast of Agness and Sour Biscuit Fire northwest of Cave Junction, officials are trying to join the fires to make them safer to fight. Overall, they would stretch 30 miles north and south through the Klamath Mountains. Favorable weather conditions have kept them from spreading as far as officials had feared on Monday. The Florence Fire to the north has progressed toward Oak Flat and jumped the Illinois River. Confirmed fire locations are in Sections 8, 18, 24 of Township 36S, Range 11W. In Southern Curry County, the Sour Biscuit Fire has broken out of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area and moved west into private lands. Fire is confirmed near Red Mountain and Vulcan Peak, in Sections 14 and 15 of Township 39S Range 11W. Still, there is little or no containment of the fires reported at this time. Residents of the Illinois Valley with elderly, children or disabled residents are being asked to consider voluntary evacuation. A community meeting is planned in Cave Junction tonight to brief residents on the situation. The latest official reports are being posted at www.fs.fed.us/r6/siskiyou -- then click on Biscuit Complex. The latest weather and road conditions are always available through the Curry Coastal Pilot's Web site at www.currypilot.com. For our full report pick up your Wednesday edition of the Curry Coastal Pilot. Charles Kocher Publisher PS: More than 1,000 readers receive The Pilot's free News Alerts by e-mail. To add or remove your name from the list, please respond to mail@currypilot.com Related Web Site(s): Official Fire Reports: Click Here Latest Vicinity Map: Click Here

[AuntB]

You must start hearing this radio program. You can get it on the net www.larslarson.com. He's out of portland, covers the NW. Right now and all week(noon to 4:00pm pacific) he has as guest ONRC and some tree sitter...I'm so mad I'm smokin'! Opps, guess that's just the forests burning down!

We are not really hearing much more than what you are getting, until the 5pm local news and I'll let you know if there's any news you haven't gotten. The Lars Larson show is the best place for updates, they have a reporter from the Selma area checking in.

[glock rocks]

May we send our local whacos too? We have a lot of them with romantic names like SUWA

couldn't we air drop the SUWA guys... say from 30,000 feet...

[AuntB]

That was the question Lars Larson just ask a tree sitter...how many of you are fighting fires??? His answer, finally after all the canned jibberish, was NONE. Let it burn....it's natural don't ya know! You can catch these conversations at www.larslarson.com...the eco freaks are on live.

[EBUCK]

That's what I was thinking. Sounds like a smart move.

EBUCK

[AuntB]

I like it!

The smoke is really awful today. Last night the wind blew and it cleared up for a while, which is worse, because you know that fire has turned and is burning rich in a new direction. Selma, in the Illinois valley, about 35 miles from me is where we had the big rally in Jan, 2001 chasing after Bruce Babbitt. This is the area he wanted extended wildnerness over millions more acres and got some of it through.

[Grampa Dave]

Some we could use the SEAL teams HALO drops. That is where they get thrown out of a plane over 20K feet and free fall until they are right over the target and then pull the rip cord.

I think that Utah, Arizona and New Mexico with some of the radical forest guardian groups have some of the worst eco terrorists around.

[PoisedWoman]

Heavy emphasis is being placed on fighting the Shelly Creek Fire, which has forced the evacuation of Patrick Creek Lodge,

So sad. I stopped there for lunch every time I drove up to Grant's Pass from San Francisco, and stayed overnight too. Charming old place, excellent food. I hope they can save the place. The entire area is very special, and home to many retirees who enjoy living and fishing in the wilderness. Had some great barside chats with the locals, hope they are all surviving with their homes intact. Even if they do, their property will be worth zilch. Loss of the wonderful redwoods there is heartbreaking.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks, I'm now listening to Lars Larson:

Here is the link that all Freepers can use: (link to listen to Lars Larson on our computers)

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the feedback.

I may have to sign back up for the Curry Pilot emergency bulletins during this time period.

[Grampa Dave]

All, here is the weather for the Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area: (Kalmiopsis Weather Link)

The high winds with gusts up to 50 mph are not what you would want in trying to control a fire. Also if if the winds come from the north, the Florence fire could be blown south to merge with the Biscuit Fire. (Kalmiopsis Weather Link)

[cake_crumb]

"No need for nightmares...I'm under 30 and still invincible!!!"

LOL...I am back, over 30, and have gained "healthy respect".

I checked...I can say this....without causing panic, because it's been done, and most people don't listen...

But if you are sitting in an emergency shelter, waiting for an evacuation order, and if you have a place to go and the means to get there....

GO.

NOW.

Period.

Your evacuation may save not only your own life, but will lower the number of evacuees left to be transported, so you are actually helping us.

[cake_crumb]

"According to the Curry Pilot, 199 is closed due to fires in California. If that is true, how are those people in the Illinois River are supposed to evacuate if they are ordered out."

They evacuate NORTH..... SOUTH 199 is closed to to the fires. I can't BELIEVE the publications didn't specify that.

North is clear so far...199 North to Grant's Pass. Time for a long weekend visiting friends and/or relatives for anyone who lives South of the fireline.

[cake_crumb]

Have you told Simon how you feel??...so that he has a stronger platform upon which to stand, I mean?

[Grampa Dave]

This is how the real forest service fights fires. Unlike the Bruce Babbitt/Clintoonian Pink Panty wearing maggots who think they are in the Florist Service to please Andy Kerr and eco fascists. Those maggots just stand around and watch things burn!

[blackie]

Stop the attacks by the bureaucrats and wacko, extreme left-wing, enviro-nazis terrorist's on our Freedoms !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Molon Labe !!