While most of Banks had originally been slated to avoid an intentional power shutoff, residents in the city are without power anyway following what PGE described as a downed tree on a power line. A small brush fire on the western edge of town was extinguished with the quick action of neighbors, Banks Fire said.
wildfire
PGE opens community resource center at Jim’s Market in Banks for charging, ice, info
As power is shut off for rural communities just outside Banks over wildfire concerns, Portland General Electric has established a community resource center at Jim’s Market in Banks to provide phone charging, ice, and information about the Public Safety Power Shutoffs beginning Friday. The center (12350 NW Main St) is[Read More…]
PGE will shut power off in rural western Washington County beginning Friday morning
Power will be shut off in an effort to reduce wildfire risk in ten areas across PGE’s service territory starting Friday. In Gales Creek, power will be cut sometime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, and may be restored starting Saturday evening.
PGE: ‘increasingly likely’ chance of power shutoffs in western Washington County starting Friday over wildfire risk
Portland General Electric said that the likelihood of intentional power shutoffs—known as a Public Safety Power Shutoff or PSPS—is high in ten areas in their service territory, including Buxton, Manning, Timber, and areas surrounding Banks in the next 24 to 48 hours. WOEC customers in the county may also be affected.
Weather, fire officials warn of extreme fire danger over weekend
“These conditions are the worst so far for 2022. Dangerous conditions will start Friday morning, peak Friday night, and remain on Saturday,” Oregon Department of Forestry officials said. A Fire Weather Watch begins Friday, and fire danger will rise to Extreme in the Tillamook Forest and surrounding areas Friday.
Gov. Brown declares statewide emergency over wildfire risk
Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency Saturday night, citing imminent threat of wildfire across the state.
Fire danger moving to ‘high’ Tuesday morning
Restrictions in areas protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in much of Northwest Oregon will increase again Tuesday in the face of increasing fire danger, moving from moderate to high fire danger.
Fire Weather Watch issued for region Saturday
A Fire Weather Watch—often a precursor to the more severe Red Flag Warning—was issued Friday afternoon by the Portland office of the National Weather Service for Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. through 9 p.m.
State forester rescinds wildfire risk map in response to public, political outcry
On Thursday afternoon, just five weeks after publishing a wildfire risk map, the state Forestry Department axed it.
Banks, Forest Grove fire crews head to Wasco County to fight Miller Road Fire
Among those battling the 10,500 acre Miller Road Fire in Wasco County are crews from Banks Fire District and Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, who joined a task force of other Washington County Fire agencies Wednesday.