Side by Side Fire in Dunes
CCSO release – Date / Time: July 14th at 4:09 p.m.; Case Number(s): N/a; Location: Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area camp #81; OHV catches fire in the Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area. On July 14, 2023, at 4:09 p.m., the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a report of a Side by Side on fire near the Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area (ODNRA) dispersed camp #81. Deputies Kent and M.R. Smith responded and found a Side by Side on fire that had burned entirely down to the metal roll cage upon arrival. All occupants had gotten to safety and were not injured. However, the vehicle was a complete loss. The driver advised deputies he had been driving the Polaris past Campsite #81 when the Side by Side spontaneously combusted into flames. The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind those recreating in the ODNRA to carry fire extinguishers and other emergency essentials when operating OHVs.
Capsizing Tenmile Lake
CCSO release – Date / Time: July 14th, 2023, around 1:15 pm; Case Number(s): Classification: Capsized Sailboat; Location: Tenmile Lake, Lakeside; Involved: Ronald Nordquist (58). Coos County Marine Deputy helps a man with a capsized sailboat on Tenmile Lake. On July 14th, 2023, around 1:15 pm, Coos County Marine Deputy R. Baker was patrolling Tenmile Lake near North Lake Marina when he observed a capsized sailboat with the sole occupant Ronald Nordquist (58), hanging onto the bottom of the boat. Deputy Baker, with the assistance of a bystander, managed to get Mr. Nordquist and the boat to a dock. Mr. Nordquist had lost his life jacket when the boat capsized, so Deputy Baker pulled him from the water. With help from locals, Deputy Baker was able to upright the sailboat and start to de-water it. Mr. Nordquist was unharmed during this event. After investigation, Deputy Baker learned that Mr. Nordquist was a first-time sailboat operator, and made an overcorrection error when high winds began to blow on the lake. Deputy Baker took this time to educate Mr. Nordquist regarding boating safety. Your Coos County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the bystanders for assisting Deputy Baker during this event and would like to remind everyone, especially during these warm summer months, to use caution when spending time on the water.