News & Information

JACKSON COUNTY ADDS NEW EVACUATION UPDATES TO EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

JACKSON COUNTY ADDS NEW EVACUATION UPDATES TO EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

MEDFORD, Ore. — Jackson County has rolled out a new feature of its emergency alert system, one that will allow residents to stay updated on evacuation levels even if their area is not the subject of emergency notifications.

Jackson County is still using the Everbridge system — locally known as Citizen Alert — which allows for targeted messages to registered residents in certain areas. These alerts go out automatically to anyone with a landline, as well as anyone who registers their email or cell phone.

Sign up for Jackson County’s evacuation notifications by:

  • Texting JACKSONEVACS to 888777.
  • Once opted in, individuals will receive any messages for all level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation notification sent by Jackson County Emergency Management and Cities.
  • A Citizen Alert account is not needed to receive messages sent through the keyword.
  • A Citizen Alert account is needed to receive emergency alerts that are specific to your personal address(es).

The new addition also operates through Everbridge, but allows people to stay apprised of evacuation notices with a simple text-in process that operates separately from the existing alert system. By opting in, residents can receive all Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation alerts issued by Jackson County and city jurisdictions.

“We are very excited to add this to our mix of alerts. This new keyword adds an option for those who prefer to be notified of any evacuation notification in Jackson County,” said Holly Powers, Jackson County Emergency Manager. “Residents are still encouraged to sign up through Citizen Alert first to receive emergency information specific to their address. These additional alerts will also help to lower the use of critical emergency touchpoints like our 911 system.”

To opt in for these evacuation alerts, you can text JACKSONEVACS to 888777. A Citizen Alert account is not needed to receive these messages.

In order to receive emergency alerts specific to your address, you do need to sign up for Citizen Alert.

The Everbridge system came under scrutiny in the wake of the Almeda Fire, when many people wondered why the broader Emergency Alert System (EAS) was not activated. An independent report issued at the beginning of June concluded that the County’s choice for alerts was a net positive in the Almeda Fire response, despite breakdowns in communication between different jurisdictions.

Governor Kate Brown released a statement on Monday advocating for OR-Alert, the state’s push to promote and unify county-level emergency alerts. According to Brown’s office, the system has been fully implemented in 26 counties and is in works for another eight counties.

Brown said that the roll-out is “timely” after a succession of severe weather events in Oregon — ice storms, extreme drought, record-breaking heat, and dangerous wildfire seasons.

“Last year’s historic fire season taught us that being prepared can truly be the difference between life and death,” said Governor Brown. “With Oregon facing increasing climate-related weather events, there’s never been a better time to make a plan with your family to be prepared. I’m urging all Oregonians to sign up for local alerts through OR-Alert and to take steps to ensure you and your family can be safe in the event of an emergency.”

OR-Alert compiles the various County alert systems, so a resident of Jackson County who visits the OR-Alert website will be directed to the Citizen Alert sign-up via Everbridge. Residents of other counties will be directed to their own systems.

Like with Jackson County, anyone in Oregon can sign up for some emergency alerts by texting their zip code to 888777, or visit www.oralert.gov to fully sign up. People can also download the Everbridge app to receive alerts.

“Between extreme weather, wildfires, and the pandemic, it became clear that our state needed a streamlined and customizable way to enable emergency managers at the local, county, Tribal, and state level to communicate with the populations they serve across the state and at a moment’s notice,” said William Chapman, Statewide Interoperability Coordinator. “OR-Alert has filled this need and is ready for Oregonians to sign up.”

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Movie in the Park August 7! “We Bought a Zoo!”

Movie in the Park – August 7 – Aunt Caroline’s Park! “We Bought a Zoo!”

20210721174459

Movie in the Park August 7! “We Bought a Zoo!”

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Rockin’ on the Rogue! July 31 – Upper Rogue Regional Park

Rockin’ on the Rogue! July 31 – Upper Rogue Regional Park

Rockin’ on the Rogue! July 31 – Upper Rogue Regional Park

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URCC Community Market

URCC Community Market

URCC Community Market

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Avista doing Gas Meter Safety Checks next week

Avista Doing Gas Meter Safety Checks Next Week

Avista contracted inspectors will be in the area next doing safety checks of all meters.  This is a normal and regular procedure that is done.

The Inspector will have an official Avista vest and name badge.

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Cooling Center is Southern Oregon

Cooling Centers in Southern Oregon

With record-breaking temperatures in the forecast for much of the North West this weekend, cooling centers are being made available to the public throughout Southern Oregon.

Medford

According to the City of Medford website, the Medford Senior Center located at 510 E. Main Street will be open and act as a Severe Event cooling shelter. The cooling shelter will be open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (June 26 – June 28) from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The cooling shelter will provide water, a cool resting area, restrooms, popsicles, snacks, and a cooling area as well as water for pets. Individuals may come and go, with a facility capacity of 45 guests.

Ashland 

According to a Facebook post from the City of Ashland, a Cooling Shelter located at 48 Fifth Street will be available from Saturday, June 26 through Thursday, July 1. The Shelter will be open from 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  The shelter will be staffed by community volunteers who have requested that guests be mindful of other’s health needs, therefore masks will be required. Animals will be allowed but must be kept on leashes.

Donations of water and cold foods are needed and will be accepted at the shelter location during hours of operation.

The Ashland Police Department will have water bottles available to those in need. Officers will carry additional water bottles with them and will be looking for opportunities to assist those that might be vulnerable to heat exhaustion or could benefit from proactive assistance.

Ashland Fire and Rescue will have water bottles outside of each fire station for those needing cooling hydration.

Talent 

According to a City of Talent Facebook post, the city will be hosting a Cooling Center in the Talent Community Center located behind City Hall at 110 East Main Street from Saturday, June 26 to Monday, June 28. The Cooling Center will be open from noon to 6:00 p.m. each day and city staff and volunteers will be available onsite. Bottled water will be available and the city will be observing covid-19 protocols.

Shady Cove

The Upper Rogue Community Center will be open as a cooling center Sunday and Monday from 2-7.

Contact URCC at 541-878-2702 for more details.

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Emergency Management Commission Alert Sign-up Cancelled for Saturday

Due to the oppressive heat, the Emergency Management Commission sign up table for Emergency Alerts at the Shady Cove Market is cancelled.

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Auto Draft

Please Take Care in the Extreme Heat This Summer

 

Dr. Richard Leman, a public health physician at OHA, said, “It’s critical that people do what they can to avoid the heat as temperatures get to the level where they can cause serious health problems. Temperatures that get above 100 are nothing to take casually. These conditions can be extremely dangerous if we don’t take care of ourselves.”

Here are tips to take care of yourself during extreme heat:

Stay cool

  • Stay in air-conditioned places when temperatures are high, if possible. If you’re outside, find some shade.
  • Avoid strenuous activity when it’s hot. This could lead to heat stroke.
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing to keep cool and protect your skin from the sun.
  • Use cool compresses, misting, and cool showers and baths.
  • Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car. They can suffer from heat-related illness.

Stay hydrated

  • Regardless of your level of activity, drink plenty of fluids, even if you are not thirsty and especially when working outside.
  • Avoid alcohol or liquids containing large amounts of sugar.

Stay informed

  • Keep up to date on the temperature and heat index when planning your activities so you can find ways to stay cool and hydrated.
  • Know the warning signs of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn and heat rash, and how to treat and prevent them.
  • Closely monitor anyone with a chronic medical condition, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer or kidney disease. They may be less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature.

For more information, visit:

Preventing Heat-related Illnesses (OHA): https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/Preparedness/Prepare/Pages/PrepareForExtremeHeat.aspx

Extreme Heat (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/index.html

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-related Illness (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html

Please take care in the extreme heat this weekend

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Must Remain on Paved Areas on Greenway in County Now

Must Remain on Paved Areas on Greenway in County Now

LETTER FROM JACKSON COUNTY –

I am writing to inform you of the attached order passed by the Board of Commissioners yesterday that officially closes all off-pavement areas of county owned land along the Bear Creek Greenway during fire season, as set and defined by the Oregon Department of Forestry.  Coincidentally, the ODF declared fire season was effective yesterday in tandem with the passage of the order.  The order is now in effect and users must remain on paved surfaces while using the trail on county property.  County ordinance provides the Board the ability to close portions of the greenway to protect the health or safety of the public or the safety of the Greenway or its facilities, specifically including during fire hazards.

Our Sheriff’s office, along with our Parks program will manage the issue, beginning with initially educating users, then proceeding with enforcement of the issue for users that do not comply.  Violating the closure can lead to a 2nd degree criminal trespass charge.  Please note that the closure applies to all users of the greenway and is not limited to camping.

It is important to clarify that the order does not apply to private, city, state or other non-county owned lands along the greenway.  I encourage you to consider similar measures to help prevent a repeat of recent events.

Sincerely,

Danny Jordan

Jackson County Administrator

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Blackberries and Scotch Broom – Bad in Wildfires!

Blackberries and Scotch Broom – Bad in Wildfires!

Protect Your Forest From Fire

 

Preventing fires means replacing blackberries

http://cesutter.ucdavis.edu/files/102561.pdf

 

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TREE LIMB AND BRUSH DROP OFF 4/12-4/23

FIRE SEASON ENDS EFECTVIVE WEDNESDAY, 10/20. CALL BEFORE YOU BURN!

CALL BEFORE YOU BURN! 541-776-7007
The Oregon Department of Forestry declared an end to the 2021 Fire Season on Wednesday as regular rains and cooler temperatures have significantly reduced the threat of fire spreading.

The declaration affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city, and Bureau of Land Management forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties protected by ODF, and eliminates all public regulated use restrictions and industrial fire precaution level requirements.

“This summer had the potential to be another devastating fire season in southern Oregon,” Acting District Forester Tyler McCarty said. “Despite that, ODF Southwest is thankful for the season we had – busy, but successful.”

ODF said that it responded to 278 fires during the 2021 season, with 273 acres burned. No homes were damaged or destroyed by wildland fires in Jackson or Josephine counties this year.

“ODF as an agency has a goal of stopping 98% of its fires at 10 acres or less; this year, the Southwest Oregon District nearly met this goal at 97.8%,” officials said in a statement. “Year to date, the district has responded to 337 fires for 389 acres burned.”

 


 

FireWatch: Oregon lifts ban on campfires in state parks and forests east of I-5

 


 

Forestry officials credited the successful season to aggressive initial attack strategies and well-trained firefighter crews, as well as other fire agency partners in the region — both federal and local.

“The relationships we have with our partner agencies are invaluable,” McCarty said. “The level of cooperation between Rogue Valley agencies was unparalleled this fire season, and made all the difference.”

The year got off to a challenging start, and ODF said that crews were responding to fires consistently from the first week of March forward. Before fire season was initially declared, ODF crews had already responded to 59 fires totaling 115 acres burned. Thirty of those were caused by debris burns that got out of control.

“Between above average temperatures and warm, windy conditions, fires in the spring spread much more easily, greatly contributing to the high number of pre-season incidents,” ODF said. “Going into the season in mid-May, the majority of the district was experiencing an extreme drought, which also played a large part in the dry fuel conditions. Between the weather and dry vegetation, it was clear this fire season had the potential to be devastating.”

The season was devastating for neighboring Douglas, Klamath, and Lake counties, where a number of fires grew to massive size. The Bootleg Fire became one of the largest fires in Oregon state history, reaching 413,717 acres before full containment, and destroying hundreds of buildings.

In southwest Oregon, the largest fire was the North River Road Fire, stopped at 60 acres in late June. The vast majority of fires in the district were stopped at six acres or less.

Fire season ended for Coos, Curry, and Douglas counties several weeks ago. Fire season ends for Klamath and Lake counties on Friday morning, stretching from May 15 to October 22 this year.

“The 2021 Fire Season was the longest we’ve had on record, lasting 160 days,” said Dennis Lee, District Forester for Klamath-Lake ODF. “It was also one of the worst seasons in terms of drought and total fire acres burned in the South-Central Oregon area that I can remember. We are relieved to finally have enough moisture on the ground and continued in the forecast to be beyond the severe wildland fire threat we’ve seen so much of.”

The ban on open debris burning ends for Klamath and Lake counties with the official end of fire season. However, for all of Oregon, forestry officials still ask the public to use caution and practice fire safety.

“While fire season is officially over, fire prevention must continue,” ODF said. “Please be vigilant while burning debris, ensuring that a burn pile is never left unattended. Also, please use caution while using machinery that could produce a spark. Fall weather in Southern Oregon can vary greatly. This region is extremely prone to fire, and for that reason, fire knows no season; please be aware that fires can still spread in fall and winter conditions.”

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FREE COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Clinic

FREE COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Clinic

FREE COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Clinic

Pfizer vaccine administered by EMS staff

for anyone 16 years and older

 

Wednesday, May 5

10 AM – NOON

St. Martin’s Episcopal Church

95 Cleveland Street

Shady Cove, OR 97539

 

Registration guarantees vaccine!

Walk-ins welcome on a space available basis.

 

Requirements day of:  full name and birthdate,

signed consent form to take vaccine,

wait 15 minutes after getting shot.

 

Please register at

https://covid-clinic-st-martins-may-5.eventbrite.com

or call

541/622-2240  Leave name and phone number,

We’ll call you back.

 

Second shots of Pfizer vaccine will be given

Wednesday, May 26 from 10 AM – NOON at St. Martin’s.

 

Any excess doses will be taken to Shady Cove Market

after NOON, and offered until gone.

(22111 Hwy 62 in Shady Cove)

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