Restrictions in areas protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Northwest Oregon will increase again Tuesday in the face of increasing fire danger.
In Zones 2 and 3 of the Northwest District, which covers much of the areas this newspaper works in, the general public will see fire danger raised from “moderate” to “high” starting Wednesday at 1 a.m., while the Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) will stay at IFPL II for the NW-2 and NW-3 zones, which include Glenwood, Timber, and areas just outside of the Highway 26 corridor and just outside of Gales Creek as well as large swaths of the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests.
On the west side of the region along the coast, fire danger remains at moderate and IFPL I.
More information on existing fire danger levels can be found on the ODF Fire Danger Map and on the agency’s restrictions and closures website.
According to the Portland office of the National Weather Service, this week’s forecast shows high temperatures looming for the region. Temperatures hovering in the mid-90s throughout the region are expected starting Wednesday, and the NWS has issued a heat advisory starting at 12 p.m. Wednesday through 10 p.m. Thursday.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances,” the federal agency said.
The Washington County Health and Human Services department maintains a webpage dedicated to resources to help residents weather high temperatures.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Banks Post and sister news publications the Gales Creek Journal and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.