Greetings from the Land of 500+ AQI: We’re Holding Our Breath Out Here
My family and I went to the coast Sunday for one reason: To escape the choking smoke in the air. Brian Prawitz, for CHF | August 31, 2023 My wife’s perpetual smoke induced headache and the depressing, oppressing cloud literally hanging over us was just too much. If even for a few hours, the idea […]
Column: Poor forest management fuels wildfires
Tom Kress, Douglas County Commissioner | Jun 21, 2023 Wildfires have become increasingly devastating in recent years, ravaging massive areas of land, destroying homes and businesses, and endangering lives. I wanted to take a moment to address and offer a chance for our residents to hear the other side of the story when it comes […]
Bill to protect rural communities from wildfire passes both chambers
Recently, SB 872, which directs the State Forestry Department to collaborate with the respective Douglas & Coos Forest Protection Associations and the United States Forest Service, with a focus on protecting lands and rural communities within the wildland-urban interface from fire on federal lands through stewardship to decrease wildfire risk across Oregon through increased partnership with […]
Melissa Cribbins named Executive Director of Communities for Healthy Forests
Melissa Cribbins was named Executive Director of Communities for Healthy Forests on Jan. 1, 2023, succeeding former Douglas County (OR) Commissioner, Doug Robertson. In her first conversation in her new role, Cribbins gave us a picture of her approach to leading CHF into the future. Communities for Healthy Forests: So, congratulations on being the next […]
The Impact of CHF Forestry Tours
Lifetime forester Javier Goirigolzarri leads forestry tours where community members get off the beaten path and into areas where fire has impacted the landscape. Javier’s passion for education and forestry is obvious as he immerses members of the tour into the story of what happens to the forest after fire.
How can ‘active forest management’ affect societal change?
“The importance that the wood is derived through sustainable practices to keep forests healthy and thriving.” Amanda Sullivan-Astor | https://www.registerguard.com | August 21, 2022 As a certified forester and young professional who specializes in forward thinking forest policies, climate change is always top of mind. I pursued a graduate certificate in forest carbon science, policy […]
Southern Oregon agencies gearing up with added resources as fire season begins
Southern Oregon — Fire season in Southern Oregon officially begins on Wednesday, and fire agencies across the Rogue Valley are preparing. By Kevin McNamara | https://ktvl.com | Tuesday, May 31st 2022 The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest district now has 26 fire engines staffed seven days a week, which is up by three from last year. That’s in addition to […]
The Return to the Apple Jack Fire
The Apple Fire, about 21 miles east of Glide, burned through over 14,000 acres September of 2002. The latest photos are from our tour of the 2021 Jack fire which burned into the 2002 Apple Fire.
Peace at Last
Oregon Legislature inks SB 1546, creates Elliott State Research Forest NEWS | CLAYTON FRANKE | 03/31/2022 The Oregon State Legislature may have passed a bill with a solution to one of the state’s long-standing timber wars. On March 3, the Legislature approved Senate Bill 1546, decoupling the Elliott State Forest from the Common School Fund and creating […]
ODF issues $20 million for wildfire prevention projects on forest and rangelands
By: Jamie Parfitt | www.kdrv.com | Feb 16, 2022 SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Forestry announced Wednesday that it has issued $20 million in grants for “landscape-scale” projects designed to reduce hazardous fuels and reduce wildfire risk across the state. The funding will specifically go toward nine projects submitted by nonprofit organizations and […]