Douglas County Evening Wildfire Update 09/11/2020 (Photo) - 09/11/20

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - "In midst of the chaos, today we pause to remember those who were lost on September 11, 2001". - Douglas County Sheriff's Office (Photograph).

FIRE EVACUATIONS:

Several evacuation notices throughout Douglas County were downgraded today. The Sheriff's Office has made the changes following information and discussion with fire managers. The following are current evacuation notices:

LEVEL 1 "BE READY": Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system. ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS SHOULD BE IN THIS LEVEL OF READINESS AT ALL TIMES!

North Bank Road from 13767 North Bank Road west to the east North Bank Bridge
All of Single Tree Lane
All of Rivershore Drive

LEVEL 2 "BE SET": YOU MUST PREPARE TO LEAVE AT A MOMENTS NOTICE. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. THIS MAY BE THE ONLY NOTICE YOU RECEIVE. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate.

Fire maps can be located at www.dcso.com/evacuations. 

ARCHIE CREEK FIRE: 

Nonpareil Road from Plat K Road west to Gassy Creek
The community of Glide from the Green Bridge east to Little River Road. (Except for Lone Rock Road, Bar L Ranch Road, Upper Terrace, Terrace, Little River Road)

LEVEL 3 "GO!": LEAVE IMMEDIATELY! Danger to your area is current or imminent and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be able to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home or any structure. THIS WILL BE THE LAST NOTICE YOU RECEIVE.

ARCHIE CREEK FIRE:

Dry Creek (Happy Creek Ln, Felix Flat, Elk Ridge, Illahee)
Steamboat Creek to the Green Bridge in Glide (Includes all addresses between these points, Includes the community of Idleyld Park)
Lone Rock Road
Bar L Ranch Road
Upper Terrace Drive
Terrace Drive
Little River Road
Gassy Creek Road east to the end of Nonpariel Road

THIELSEN FIRE (Diamond Lake):

Diamond Lake (Includes all recreation sites, Diamond Lake Lodge, Private Summer Homes)
Lemolo Lake

EVACUATION INFORMATION:
For more information and questions about evacuations, log onto the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office website at: www.dcso.com or the DCSO Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCoSO/. You can reach DCSO at (541) 440-4450. Please do not call 911 for general questions about the local wildfires, please save those lines for emergency calls. 

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has created a page on its website with maps of the current evacuation zones. The maps attempt to provide a visual of the most current evacuation zones by showing roads and specific addresses in some cases. The maps can be found at www.dcso.com/evacuations and are updated as quickly as possible.

EVACUATION AND EMERGENCY SHELTER LOCATION:

DOUGLAS COUNTY CITIZEN EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM:
All residents are encouraged to sign up their cell phones with the Douglas County Citizen Emergency Notification system. The system, often referred to as a "reverse 9-1-1" is used to provide mass notification in the event of an emergency. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has been utilizing the system over the past several days to notify residents of emergency evacuation orders which affect their residence. If you have not already signed up, please consider signing up.  Being informed is vitally important during emergency situations.  To register, visit www.dcso.com/alerts

DOUGLAS COUNTY WILDFIRE UPDATE: 
The following agencies are managing the local wildfires.  Please log onto their websites, Facebook pages or call their offices for more information.

The Archie Creek Fire: managed by Northwest Interagency Incident Management - Team 9. 
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7176/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Archie-Creek-Fire-Information-120244459815292/
(971) 334-7674

The French Creek Wildfire is still under the management of DFPA. 
Website:  www.dfpa.net
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasForestProtectiveAssociation/

The Thielsen Fire, near Diamond Lake is being managed by the USFS.
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/umpqua

Local Updates: At this time, please continue to monitor the Douglas Forest Protective Association Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasForestProtectiveAssociation/ for a complete list of local wildfire updates.  

Additional fire information is also available on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ 
Please call 911 to report any signs of new fires.

DOUGLAS COUNTY RESOURCE HOTLINE: (541) 464-6550:
Douglas County Commissioners and Douglas Public Health Network have added a resource and referral service to the current COVID-19 hotline for Douglas County residents.  The added service will help residents get connected to resources and services due to the local wildfires.  Referral and resource information will be available about local emergency shelters, livestock and animal boarding options, donation locations, volunteer opportunities, welfare check referrals, food and water resources and help with health and wellness questions.  This is NOT the hotline for Fire Updates or Evacuation information.  Please contact or follow DFPA and DCSO for the most up-to-date wildfire information.  The Resource/COVID-19 Hotline is (541) 464-6550.  It is staffed from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, 7 days a week until further notice.  

DOUGLAS COUNTY DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO WILDFIRES & FEMA APPROVES WILDFIRE FUNDING FOR ARCHIE CREEK FIRE
Under a delegation of authority order, on behalf of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Tim Freeman approved a State of Emergency for Douglas County late yesterday, September 8, 2020, due to the wildfires burning up the North Umpqua Hwy (Oregon Hwy 138) at French Creek, Archie Creek and Star Mountain.  At the time of the declaration, numerous homes and structures in the area were under LEVEL 3 – GO! mandatory evacuation orders. 

“Conditions are very unpredictable and hazardous right now, with high winds, dry temperatures and extreme terrain making it incredibly difficult for fire crews working the front lines right now,” commented Commissioner Tim Freeman. “Our number one priority is the safety and health of our residents.  Many of our residents have already lost their homes and many more are in immediate danger.  Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners agree that critical action must be taken to alleviate any more stress to residents and we must utilize all available resources to protect as much as we can from the devastating wildfires.”

FEMA AUTHORIZES FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP FIGHT THE ARCHIE CREEK FIRE IN OREGON 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Archie Creek Fire in Douglas County, Oregon.  FEMA Region 10 Administrator Mike O'Hare determined that the fires threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster, and on Wednesday he approved the state of Oregon's requests for Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG).  The Archie Creek Fire started on Tuesday, burning in excess of 5,700 acres of federal and private land. At the time of the request, the fire threatened up to 300 homes in and around the communities of Glide, Idleyld Park, and Steamboat. The fire also threatened transmission lines in the area. More than 2,500 people are under Level Two and Three evacuation notices, and up to 300 homes are under Level Three evacuation notices with another over 500 homes under a Level Two notice.  

“Having FEMA funding available to combat this unprecedented wildfire is invaluable for Douglas County," Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman said in an email. "We sincerely appreciate the Trump Administration for making this happen so quickly."

PRESIDENT APPROVES EMERGENCY DISASTER DECLARATION FOR OREGON
FEMA announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Oregon to supplement state, tribal and local response efforts to the emergency conditions in the area affected by wildfires beginning on Sept. 8, 2020, and continuing.  The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.   Click here for declaration.

DAV: WILDFIRE DISASTER RELIEF FOR OREGON VETERANS/SURVIVING SPOUSES
The DAV National Service Office in Portland has obtained drafts (checks) to be sent out to veterans/surviving spouses that have been impacted by the wildfires in Oregon.  The drafts are up to $1,000 per household, regardless if it’s a multiple veteran household.  
To receive a draft PLEASE have the participant follow these steps:
1)    Email dav.vbaport@va.gov and state WILDFIRE RELIEF in the subject line.
2)    We need the full name of the veteran/surviving spouse.
3)    Their address that has been affected.
4)    An address they can receive the draft at.
5)    Their phone number and/or email address.
6)    Proof of veteran status.  Various things will work for this, the veteran DOES NOT need to be in receipt of any VA benefits.  Examples:  DDF 214, VA rating sheet, driver’s license with “veteran” annotation, etc.
7)    Are they requesting for food and clothing only OR did they have to evacuate/pay for lodging?  Please include as much proof/verification to make this as easy as possible.

DONATIONS FOR WILDFIRE VICTIMS
Locally, the Greater Douglas United Way is working with the Salvation Army and American Red Cross to accept both monetary and physical donations. Greater Douglas United Way has set up a Fire Relief Fund.  Monetary donations can be taken to their office at 702 SE Jackson Street or by logging onto their website at: https://gduway.org/campaigns/fire-relief-fund/. All donations will be donated directly to local Red Cross and Salvation Army wildfire efforts.  Physical donations (bottled water/sealed food items/clothing/necessities) can be dropped off at either the Greater Douglas United Way office at 702 SE Jackson Street or to the Salvation Army at 3130 NE Stephens Street. For additional questions regarding donations, you can reach the Salvation Army at (541) 672-6581 or the Greater Douglas United Way at (541) 672-1734.   There are a number of other private and faith based organizations that are offering meals and accepting donations as well, please call the Resource Hotline at (541) 464-6550 for more information.

OPEN FIRES NOT ALLOWED IN DOUGLAS COUNTY OWNED PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS
Based on EXTREME fire danger and Douglas Forest Protective Association’s (DPFA’s) current Public Use and Industrial IFPL Restrictions, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, in conjunction with the Douglas County Parks Department would like to remind residents that all OPEN campfires are currently banned in ALL Douglas County owned and operated Parks and Campgrounds, pursuant to the current restrictions and EXTREME level conditions. Please note that propane gas heaters and lanterns are allowed at this time.  We ask that you use exercise extreme caution and continue to be fire safe in everything you do in and around our parks and while outdoors.   For more information about IFPL or Public Use Restrictions in effect on DFPA protected land, call DFPA’s 24-hour closure information line at (541) 672-0379 or visit www.dfpa.net. 

COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPOND TO SUPPORT THE GLIDE AND IDLEYLD COMMUNITIES IN STRUCTURE PROTECTION
Local fire departments, many of which are volunteers, from all over Douglas County have banded together to protect homes and structures from the Archie Creek Fire, which has charred 116,000 acres and counting and was zero percent contained as of this morning. 

“They’re working well together side by side, and making the best of a bad situation up here,” said Oakland Rural Fire Department Chief Bill Stearns, who is the County Fire Chief and the chair of Douglas County’s Fire Defense Board.

“We are doing structure protection,” Stearns said. “That’s what we’re focused on.” 

Departments battling the blaze include North Douglas County Fire and EMS based in Drain; the Kellogg Rural Fire District; Oakland Rural Fire District; Sutherlin Fire Department; Fair Oaks Rural Fire Protection District; Glide Rural Fire Protection District; Douglas County Fire District No. 2; Roseburg Fire Department; Lookingglass Rural Fire District; Winston-Dillard Fire District; Tri-City Rural Fire Protection District; and the Myrtle Creek Fire Department. Stearns said eight of those agencies are volunteer-based. 

He said many of the same departments have joined forces for previous fires, including the Horse Prairie Fire in 2017 and last year’s Milepost 97 Fire. 

Stearns said he particularly appreciates the Glide Rural Fire Protection District, which has served as a base for firefighting efforts. Volunteers have been working tirelessly to support the firefighters. “The ladies have been feeding us breakfast, lunch and dinner,” he said. 
 
Beth Werner, the Glide fire district’s business manager, said one volunteer, Esprit Steward, has been arriving at 4:30 a.m. to prepare breakfast. Steward, a volunteer EMT, juggles two jobs and a family but felt compelled to help out. Other volunteers help with breakfast, to-go lunches and other meals throughout the day. They’ve even set up a snack table. 

Community support for the firefighters has been overwhelming, she said. Some people have had pizzas delivered to the station, and two businesses - Lookingglass Brewery and Mast-Forney Real Estate Group - have both delivered trucks and trailers full of donated food. Numerous other businesses have also contributed, including Narrows Tavern, Lowe’s and Walmart. 

The station received so much food, in fact, that that exercise equipment had to be moved to make room to store it in the exercise room. When that room filled up, a water tender was moved out of a bay to clear more space. In order to keep things manageable, Werner asks anyone interested in donating food or sending pizza to call (541) 496-0224 beforehand to coordinate the donation. Any leftover food donations will likely be passed on to families who have lost their homes, she said. 

“It’s just really heartwarming to know that people in Douglas County are so thoughtful to think of each other and to help their neighbors,” Werner said. 

Glide Rural Fire Protection District Chief Ted Damewood said community members have also given non-food items, including toiletries. A retired firefighter from California dropped off 200 pairs of socks. 

“Sometimes you lose faith in humanity, and to have a natural disaster in your own backyard is not a very good thing,” Damewood said. “But to see the people coming together and giving to the people who are trying to save their homes is freaking amazing.” 

The groundswell of support has buoyed firefighters’ spirits, even as they work long days in challenging conditions. “The oxygen level seems to be pretty low out there because of the inversion,” Damewood said. “The smoke is just sitting right on the valley floor.”

He said one important thing people can do to help is to stay out of evacuation zones and respect the safety instructions of fire personnel and law enforcement, who are working around the clock to protect lives and property.