Four Canby firefighters and emergency medical technicians were deployed to southern Oregon Friday morning to assist in the response to what has already become a devastating wildfire season for the region.
Canby Fire Chief Jim Davis told The Canby Current the crew included Capt. Julio Quevedo, Engine Boss Austin Holmes and firefighter/EMT Bo Ramos, led by Division Chief Matt English.
The task force, which also included representatives from a number of other Clackamas County fire agencies, will be based in Klamath County for at least 72 hours.
“This is a more aggressive approach by the [Oregon State Fire Marshal] to place units in an area of anticipated fire starts secondary to weather forecasts,” the Clackamas Fire District explained on Twitter. “They’re expected to stop fire starts.”
Fires are also devastating central Oregon right now, as Governor Kate Brown has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act not once but twice this week to address the Wrentham Market Fire, which has burned an estimated 10,000 acres near Dufur, and the Sunset Valley Fire near The Dalles, which is estimated to be 987 acres in size and temporarily closed Highway 197 on Thursday.
Clackamas Fire on Twitter: “Clackamas County has deployed a task force to “pre-position” in Klamath County for a minimum of 72 hrs. This is a more aggressive approach by the @OSFM to place units in an area of anticipated fire starts secondary to weather forecasts. They’re expected to stop fire starts. pic.twitter.com/R6Fn39fGbg / Twitter”
Clackamas County has deployed a task force to “pre-position” in Klamath County for a minimum of 72 hrs. This is a more aggressive approach by the @OSFM to place units in an area of anticipated fire starts secondary to weather forecasts. They’re expected to stop fire starts. pic.twitter.com/R6Fn39fGbg
Both wildfires have prompted evacuations.
“This year’s fire season is already proving to be serious,” Governor Brown said. “As we head into the Fourtth of July weekend, it is imperative that all Oregonians remain mindful of fire safety and prevention. Please remember to be prepared, responsible, and to honor all burn bans.”
The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners on Thursday voted unanimously to ban all fireworks in unincorporated areas through July 10 due to the elevated wildfire risk in the wake of the record-breaking temperatures earlier this week.
Violators may be subject to fines of up to $500 for using legal fireworks and $2,500 for illegal ones.
Several cities have followed the county’s lead in prohibiting fireworks, including Wilsonville, West Linn and Milwaukie, but most have not. Oregon City, Canby and Molalla leaders have, however, urged extreme caution if residents do use legal fireworks to celebrate Independence Day.
Most fire protection districts — which lack the legal authority to ban fireworks in Oregon — have urged residents to forego the pyrotechnics this weekend, including Canby Fire.
