Tuesday, September 15, 2020

What 'Containment' on a wildfire means; Donate to support evacuees and firefighters; How to vote if you've been displaced; Daily Digest September 15, 2020

WHAT 'CONTAINMENT' ON A WILDFIRE MEANS; DONATE TO SUPPORT EVACUEES AND FIREFIGHTERS; HOW TO VOTE IF YOU'VE BEEN DISPLACED

DAILY DIGEST SEPTEMBER 15, 2020


News Release from Central Oregon Emergency Information Network
Posted on FlashAlert: September 15th, 2020 1:29 PM
Downloadable file: Constructing a handline. Photo courtesy of US Forest Service.
Downloadable file: Mailing a ballot.
Downloadable file: Constructing a dozer line. Photo courtesy of US Forest Service.

WHAT ‘CONTAINMENT’ ON A WILDFIRE REALLY MEANS 

What is ‘containment’? Why has containment remained at zero percent on some of these large fires? Does containment equal success? If you’ve asked these questions you’re not alone. 

‘Fireline’ is the hand or dozer line that firefighters put in down to bare mineral soil to hold the fire and keep it from growing. Over the past several days, crews have worked tirelessly to put in hand-cut and dozer lines to help protect the communities across Oregon.

Combined with favorable weather, these lines have been successful at limiting new fire growth towards populated areas.

But fireline by itself doesn’t equal containment. A section of line can only be called ‘contained’ if there are no more ‘hotspots’ or heat near the fireline. An area of line won’t be called contained if there is any chance it could ‘come back to life’ and allow the fire to grow past the constructed line. In fact, crews monitor all constructed fireline areas for several days - putting out burning stumps, cooling ash-pits, and walking the ground over and over to ‘cold trail’ by hand. Your life and safety is their number one concern.

Every day, every fire, every time.

Firefighters are successfully putting out fires, providing structure protection and limiting fire growth right now. Usually toward the end of a fire, the percentage of “containment” will rapidly go up.

DONATE TO SUPPORT EVACUEES AND FIREFIGHTERS

There are many ways to donate your time, money, or material goods to those impacted by the wildfires in Oregon.  Here is a list of some recommended organizations and their websites:

INFORMATION ON HOW TO VOTE FOR OREGONIANS DISPLACED BY WILDFIRES

SALEM, OR — Secretary of State Bev Clarno issued the following statement in response to the wildfires and to ensure all displaced Oregonians are able to receive their ballot and vote this November.

“The families and communities affected by the devastating wildfires across Oregon are in my thoughts and prayers. Our team at Secretary of State stands ready to help both in the immediate response and long-term recovery efforts to come.

For any Oregonians displaced from their home and concerned about voting in the General Election this November, rest assured we have a plan and are working closely with local election officials to ensure you can receive your ballot, vote, and make your voices heard.”

For frequently asked questions, visit oregonvotes.gov/fires.

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ABOUT COEIN
COEIN’s website, www.coemergencyinfo.blogspot.com, provides a collective resource for up-to-date information. Access to accurate, timely information both, locally and nationally, is encouraged. Our County Public Health experts point to the Oregon Health Authority and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as good sources of information.

Central Oregon Emergency Information Network (COEIN) includes Deschutes County Health Services, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, St. Charles Health System, Crook County Health Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Health Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, tri-county public schools, City of Bend, Bend Police, Bend Fire & Rescue, and others. COEIN’s purpose is to collect, coordinate, and distribute timely and accurate information. 

Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities   

To obtain this information in an alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, etc. please contact the COEIN JIC at 541.316.0087 or centraloregoninfo@gmail.com.