Local news from Banks, Buxton, Manning, Roy, and Timber.
FreeOregon • Wildfire • Government September 12
State Fire Marshal Jim Walker resigns, Mariana Ruiz-Temple appointed to post
Oregon is in the midst of one of, if not the, worst fire seasons experienced in modern Oregon history. Today, without explanation, the state’s top fire official — Oregon State Fire Marshal Jim Walker — was placed on paid administrative leave. Then, hours later, the Oregon State Police announced he had resigned.
Fire • Weather September 11
Oregon disaster declaration at White House and other fire updates
The state of Oregon was declared to be in an emergency on Thursday by the White House, a move that allows additional federal resources and funding to be deployed as the state grapples with unprecedented wildfires largely west of the Cascades.
FreeBanks • Wildfire • Clackamas County September 10
Clackamas Community College wrestling team evacuates to Banks
The Clackamas Community College wrestling team is evacuating from wildfires in Clackamas County, and will be lodged at Schlegel Hall in Banks.
FreeTillamook State Forest • Wildfire • ODF September 10
Region closed to logging, other industrial forest use
Beginning Friday, September 11 at 1 a.m., logging and other industrial forest activities in the entirety of the Northwest Oregon Forest Protective Association region will be closed due to wildfire danger and limited firefighting resources.
FreeFire • Washington County • Powerline Fire September 10
September 10 Morning Update
Updates from the Powerline Fire, ODF, and more for Thursday morning.
FreeFire • Cherry Grove • Hagg Lake September 9
Updates from the Powerline Fire: 50% contained, helicopter suffers mechanical failure
The Powerline Fire south of Hagg Lake is roughly 50% contained, according to the Gaston Rural Fire District.
FreeTillamook State Forest • Wildfire • ODF September 9
Tillamook State Forest closed to public use
The Tillamook State Forest is closed to the public, as are other forestlands protected by the agency in northwest Oregon due to extreme wildfire danger and limited firefighting resources.
Crime • Banks • Police Log September 9
Banks August 2020 Police Log
As presented to the Banks City Council by the Washington County Sheriff's Office's Frank Ward, here is a summary of calls in the city of Banks from August 2020.
FreeBanks • Wildfires • Highway 6 September 9
Morning update: Fire stopped near Glenwood, stop calling 911 for smoke
As wildfires rage across Oregon for a third day, here are some quick updates.
FreeFire • Cherry Grove • Hagg Lake September 8
Fire burning south of Hagg Lake prompts evacuations
An active fire burning south of Hagg Lake has prompted evacuations from the community of Cherry Grove and the surrounding areas as a largely uncontained wildfire grows in the area, driven by high winds and limited firefighting resources.
Fire • WOEC • Weather September 7
West Oregon Electric customers outside Vernonia will lose electricity from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
At 9 p.m., West Oregon Electric Co-op customers will see their lights go dark and their electricity access ended as the Vernonia-based cooperative plans to shut off power as heavy winds down power lines and spark dozens of fires throughout NW Oregon.
Fire • ODF • Weather September 7
High winds beginning early afternoon on Monday drive fire danger up
The Oregon Department of Forestry moved fire danger in the region from “High” to “Extreme” on Monday morning, bumped Industrial Fire Precaution Levels to 3 for the entire Tillamook Forest and surrounding region, closed gates on certain forest roads along Highway 6 and 26, and have asked outdoor enthusiasts to vacate the forests and stay away as concern mounts over dry east winds expected to punch into the region Monday evening. A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday.