Friday, Sept. 1, 2023 – Northern California – Smith River Complex – 85,000 acres now and about 7,000 of those are in Oregon. ($ 35 Million cost to date…) very, very sorry to report – 12 California structures lost. Governor Kotek called a Conflagration Declaration which brings in the Oregon State Fire Marshal – Incident Management Blue Team for additional structure protection for Southern Josephine County. Oregon has 48 Active Fires and has lost 106,000 acres to date. Douglas County – Tyee Ridge Complex (Cougar) –. Now about 6,000 Acres – Next 48 hours ‘likely’ to bring good news. Originally 16 fires in Douglas County – beginning on the morning of August 25th – many are controlled or out! Still close to a dozen – although a few have grown together – Oregon Department of Forestry is protecting Douglas Fire Protective Association – District 2 – All Fire Teams – No question are doing an EXCEPTIONAL JOB! Coos County – 0 Fires; Curry County – 2 to 3 fires; I was born in Gold Beach and have lived here my entire life. Yes – we’ve just received some reasonably good and welcome rain – good news for sure, however – that could mean that we’ll have a late drier than normal fall. The old timers here have witnessed that many times over the years – So we’re likely at least a full month yet before Fire Season is over. KEEP OREGON GREEN – BE ON CAREFUL GUARD FOR THE SLIGHTEST ‘MAN MADE’ FIRES. IF WE ALL DO OUR PART – ODDS ARE WE CAN ENJOY THE REST OF THE SUMMER.
