The Gales Creek Overlook in the Tillamook State Forest. File photo: Chas Hundley//Gales Creek Journal The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) initiated its administrative rulemaking process to create a permanent rule for implementing state forest closures, and to update an existing rule to include language clarifying that parking fees are[Read More…]
ODF
Tillamook, Clatsop forests to reopen to public use Friday
An Oregon Department of Forestry fire vehicle near the community of Watts, east of Gales Creek on Tuesday, September 15. Photo: Chas Hundley The Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests are expected to reopen to public use on Friday, September 18 at 1 a.m., according to the Oregon Department of Forestry. [Read More…]
Oregon Department of Forestry extends public forest shutdown through Wednesday
A sign at the Gales Creek Fire Station noting “Extreme” fire danger on Wednesday, September 9, 2020. Photo: Chas Hundley The Oregon Department of Forestry plans to keep all forests under their purview closed to public entry and use through at least Wednesday, September 16. The earliest they could open[Read More…]
Region closed to logging, other industrial forest use
A “Super Scooper” plane fights the Powerline Fire near Cherry Grove. Photo taken from ODF video 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[Read More…]
Tillamook State Forest closed to public use
The Gales Creek Overlook in the Tillamook State Forest. File photo: Chas Hundley//Gales Creek Journal 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. In an alert issued Wednesday afternoon,[Read More…]
High winds beginning early afternoon on Monday drive fire danger up
The Oregon Department of Forestry stages a vehicle at the Gales Creek Fire Station on Tuesday, August 27 2019. Photo: Chas Hundley 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[Read More…]
Hot weather prompts shift in precautions for logging in region
ODF offices in Forest Grove. Photo: Chas Hundley For those who work in the Tillamook State Forest and surrounding forests protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry, logging and other commercial activities will need to shift certain activities out of the hottest parts of the day as much of the[Read More…]
‘Worst fire danger of the year:’ ODF warns of hazardous conditions ahead of Labor Day weekend
The Oregon Department of Forestry stages a vehicle at the Gales Creek Fire Station on Tuesday, August 27 2019. Photo: Chas Hundley “We’re looking at our worst fire danger of the year,” said Oregon Department of Forestry Forest Grove District Forester Mike Cafferata in a phone call with the Gales[Read More…]
State of emergency declared in Oregon over wildfire risk
A field fire across from Balm Grove Loop on Gales Creek Road on Tuesday, August 18. Photo: Ricci Oberg OREGON – Citing imminent wildfire threats, Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency on Wednesday afternoon for the entire state of Oregon, a move that allows the Oregon Department of[Read More…]
Fire danger will move to ‘High’ Thursday morning
ODF offices in Forest Grove. Photo: Chas Hundley NW OREGON – Temperatures are expected to soar into the upper 90’s this weekend, according to the Portland branch of the National Weather Service, and the Oregon Department of Forestry will place much of the region on “High” fire danger beginning Thursday,[Read More…]