Be Fire Ready
The recent fire in the Juniper Ridge area on Aug. 15 brought home how vulnerable we are to fire. Each family should have a Go Kit packed and ready by the door in case of evacuation.
Basic elements of a GO Kit are: medicines; identification; copies of important documents; emergency snacks, water, flash light and a change of underwear.
If you have access to a usb drive, take photos of each room in your home and save to the drive. Keep the drive in your Go Kit.
The situation on the ground when dealing with wildfires can change in an instant, and one of the best things you can do is stay informed about what's happening in your area. Here is a list of resources from the State of Oregon and many of the affected counties to help you stay up to date:
· State of Oregon Fires and Hotspots Dashboard
· Clackamas County Wildfire Information
· Jackson County Wildfire Information
· Lane County Wildfire Information
· Marion County Wildfire Information
· Linn County Wildfire Information
· Lincoln County Wildfire Information
Even if you're not directly impacted by the wildfires, the smoke is spreading all across Oregon and making the air quality incredibly dangerous for people, especially those with chronic health conditions. For more information about the health threats from wildfire smoke and what you can do, click here.
If you're looking for other ways to help, consider making a donation to the Red Cross Cascades, the Oregon Food Bank, or a local non-profit relief organization. For everyone's safety, donations of clothing/household goods are not helpful at the moment. There is no storage for such items.
More Resources
Smoke and Air Quality
· Oregon Smoke Info provides updates via an interactive map with the locations of current fires and the latest information about air quality advisories.
· Oregon DEQ manages the OregonAIR app to show the latest air quality data in your area.
· Oregon Health Authority's fact sheet on smoke and air quality is a helpful resource. Multnomah County's materials on smoke and wildlife include helpful tips for keeping your family safe.
Power Outages
· Some Oregonians may be experiencing power outages from safety shut-offs or because of the windy weather conditions.
· Information about power shutoffs can be found here on the PGE website.
Road Closures
· Many roads may be closed because of the fires. If possible, remain close to home. If you must travel, be cautious, and please check the Oregon Department of Transportation TripCheck for the latest conditions – which can change rapidly – before you go.