Salem-News.com Fire articles Page 37

Rescue Teams Mobilize to Help Fallen Mount Hood Climbers

It is believed the climbers in need of assistance are located just west of the Hog's Back, on a reasonably level portion of Mount Hood.

(MT. HOOD Ore.) - A male climber on Mount Hood has reported from a cell phone that he and another climber who was climbing separately, had fallen, tumbling a distance estimated to be 300 feet.

The Clackamas County Communications Center received the call at 12:33 PM, according to Detective Jim Strovink with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

"This reporting male climber informed dispatch he was not injured; however, the other climber who had also fallen suffered some facial cuts, knee and elbow injuries, yet was conscious and breathing. Both climbers are reported to be dressed warmly and the weather conditions are comfortable."

Severe Fires Heat Up Southern California

Due to the severity of the situation, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

(LOS ANGELES) - Santa Ana winds are leading to a dangerous situation in Southern California. A few fires are threatening thousands of homes and leading to frantic evacuations as very dry conditions and warm air along with the gusty winds are causing a significant fire threat.

According to the West Regional News story, a strong area of high pressure anchored in the Great Basin is creating a strong pressure gradient over Southern California. This setup is fueling strong winds above the mountains of Southern California and through and below passes. Highest gusts are expected to rake these areas at 50-75 mph.

House Slides Down Hillside as Neighbors Rescue Occupant‏

There are two streets closed indefinitely in the area. SW Terwilliger Blvd from Capitol Highway to Chestnut Street SW and Burlingame Place at the scene of the slide. City officials are asking drivers to please avoid these areas.

(PORTLAND, Ore) - Portland Fire & Rescue crews responded to a report of a house sliding down the hill and the occupant was sliding down in front of the building.

Neighbors said that just after 5:30 AM, they saw the occupant "surfing" down the hill on a slab of concrete and quickly grabbed a ladder. Kim Kosmas with Portland Fire & Rescue says they reached with the ladder to the occupant and she grabbed the last rung of the ladder.

"The three neighbors then pulled the ladder and the occupant up the hill as the slab of concrete continued down the hillside."

Oregon Capitol Fire `Most Likely Accidental in Nature`

Investigators fail to determine exact cause of costly state capitol fire.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A fire that happened after midnight August 30th at the Oregon State Capitol, located at 900 Court St NE, caused no injuries. The blaze did alarm many at the state house as it quickly caused damage to an area of the building close to the Governor's office.

Bill Holmstrom with Salem Fire says his agency conducted a detailed investigation, assisted by the Oregon State Police Arson & Explosives Section and ATF agents, but the agencies were unable to determine what actually started the fire.

Oregon Governor Declares Royce Butte Fire A Conflagration

The Conflagration Act is only used for fires that involve or threaten life and structures.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Governor Theodore Kulongoski has declared the Royce Butte fire 12 miles west of Crescent Lake as a conflagration. The declaration cleared the way for the state fire marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire. The request to invoke the Oregon Conflagration Act was made by Klamath County Fire Defense Board Chief John Ketchum.

According to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, the fire started at 3:00 PM. September 16. Dry fuel conditions along with an unstable air pattern cause the fire to move rapidly with extreme fire behavior.

The fire has burned more than 1,100 acres of grass and brush and threatens 200 structures.

Oregon Ceremonies Honor Victims of September 11th

Fire departments throughout Oregon are standing tall in honor of all those who lost their lives seven years ago today. The public is invited to attend these events.
Albany Flag Ceremony

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Albany Fire Department will be conducting a flag ceremony in honor of 9-11-2001. At 7:00 AM the flags at each Fire Station will be lowered to half-staff. At 7:20 AM all on-duty Fire Department staff will meet at City Hall to set up a special flag display listing the names of each 9-11 victim.

All attendees will then gather at the City Hall flag pole. At 7:35 AM. Linn County Dispatch will read an introduction to the flag ceremony, the flag will be lowered to half-staff, and a moment of silence will be recognized followed by the apparatus bells sounding.

Fire at Oregon State Capitol Damages Governor`s Ceremonial Office

Willamette University students were first to see the fire.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A fire at the Oregon State Capitol damaged a very noticeable section of the Capitol Building early Saturday morning.

Officials say that at about 12:35 AM, at least three calls were received from Willamette University students of a fire on the south side of the State Capitol Building.

Salem firefighters worked for approximately 30 minutes to control the fire that was confined to the exterior and interior in the area of the Governor's ceremonial office.

Lightning Starts Fires in NE Oregon

‏Reconnaissance observation flights are scheduled to scout for holdover lightning fires that pop up as the day heats up.

(PENDLETON, Ore.) - Firefighters are busy working on over 50 active fires scattered across lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry, Umatilla National Forest, and Washington Department of Natural Resources. These fires are a result of the recent lighting activity and range in size from a single burning snag to 460 acres of grass and timber.

Fire managers are concerned with the steep terrain and heavy fuels that could provide potential for fire growth. The Eagle Creek Fire, located off Wildhorse Road six miles SE of Athena, Oregon, has burned 460 acres and is 40% contained. The Buckaroo Fire, burning 10 miles west of Dale, Oregon on the north side of the North Fork of the John Day River, is at 100 acres and 20% contained. 93 acres have burned on the Cable Creek Fire six miles east of Ukiah. Oregon. The fire burned in timber and grass along Cable Creek and Hwy 244 and is 70% contained.

Plane Crashes on Willamette River Island South of Dayton

Oregon State Police say the man walked away from the crash uninjured, now he needs to figure out a way to get it off the island.

(DAYTON, Ore.) - Police say a 46-year old man was not injured Thursday afternoon when he attempted to land his small airplane on a Willamette River island and crashed about 7 miles south of Dayton. The man's name and photographs will be released later this evening.

Heat Fuels Yosemite, California Fire

2,000 residents could be forced to evacuate homes threatened by the fire that as of Sunday was 0% contained.

(YOSEMITE, Calif.) - Forecasters say blistering heat in the West is fueling a massive wildfire in Yosemite National Park. By Tuesday, a new Pacific system moving into British Columbia will ease the heat in the Northwest, according to AccuWeather.com.

Cal Fire reports the Telegraph Fire has burned over 18,000 acres near Yosemite National Park since it began on Friday. The flames have destroyed at least one dozen homes and 27 other buildings.