SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – As of Wednesday, all Oregon Department of Forestry districts are in fire season. This means that to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires, fire restrictions may be in place where you live or at a destination you plan to visit or recreate. 

ODF protects over 16 million acres of private, county, state and federal land in Oregon from wildfire. Fire season is declared at the local level when conditions reach a point where the risk of a fire starting and spreading becomes clear. This year, the Southwest Oregon district was the first to declare on June 1, and the North Cascade District was the last to declare on July 3. 

As we move into the Fourth of July and the holiday weekend, it’s important to remember that forests and fireworks DO NOT MIX. Fireworks are banned in all State Forest designated recreation sites including campgrounds, camping areas, day-use areas, trailheads, staging areas, and boat launch sites. Remember to check any additional city and county firework restrictions as well.  

“Mid-July and August are known for high fire occurrence due to increased lightning activity, but human activities continue to be the leading source of Oregon’s wildfires. RIGHT NOW is the time to practice fire safety and preparedness.  Wildfire is already on the landscape,” said Chris Cline, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Protection Division Chief. 

Cline said, “Prevention is our number one tool to reduce property loss and firefighting costs. We can’t prevent lightning fires, but we can prevent human-caused fires…and we need everyone’s help to that end!”

With a heat wave expected from July 4th into next week, now is the time to brush up on your wildfire prevention knowledge. Tips include:

• Know before you go. Campfires may be banned or only allowed in approved campgrounds.
• Make sure your campfire is cool to the touch before going to sleep or leaving your site. Don’t forget to Drown, Stir, Repeat. 
• Backyard debris burning either requires a burn permit during fire season or is prohibited altogether. If you burned earlier this spring, go back and check on your debris burn site to make sure nothing reignites due to the heat.
• Don’t flick a cigarette onto the ground. It may be just enough to start a fire.
• Don’t park or idle over dried grass.
• Don’t drag tow chains.
• Check local restrictions and fire danger levels.

For more information on how you can help prevent wildfires, visit keeporegongreen.org. 

The Oregon Ducks are entering year three under coach Dan Lanning with championship-sized hopes and expectations. The 2024 college football season is brimming with change, as Oregon joins the Big Ten conference in the first season of the expanded 12-team format for the College Football Playoff.

Lanning and the Ducks boast an impressive roster of veterans plus the addition of the Big Ten’s best transfer class. Transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel, wide receiver Evan Stewart, cornerback Jabbar Muhammad, defensive lineman Derrick Harmon and defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell are already making their presence felt in Eugene.

Stewart and returner Tez Johnson lead a wide receiver unit that could be the best in the country. What does Stewart want in 2024?

“That ball, man. I’m trying to get those passes,” Stewart said after practice this spring. “Oregon suited everything that I was looking for. I wanted to bein a great program that had a lot of order and construction. Everything is so much better here, honestly, I’m happy with my decision.”

The Ducks are confident in their abilities to compete against the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and others in the Big Ten. Oregon has the third-best odds to make the College Football Playoff, trailing only Ohio State and Georgia.

Lanning hopes to build on his success during his two seasons as head coach. Lanning’s 22-5 record and two bowl game victories are a product of the old adage, practice makes perfect.

“It’s so competitive (at practice),” Johnson told Oregon Sports Illustrated’s Bri Amaranthus. “You would think we’re out there in a national championship game playing against whoever – we’re so intense at practice.”

Are the Ducks National Championship bound? Oregon reaches the semifinals to face the Ohio State Buckeyes, but loses to fall short of the title game, in a new prediction from CBS Sports below:

FIRST ROUND

No. 12  Liberty at No. 5 Oregon

The prediction here is that Oregon earns the No. 5 seed in their first season in the Big Ten. The Ducks have a rematch in the first round of the College Football Playoff against the Liberty Flames who are projected to finish undefeated again.

No. 4 Kansas State vs. No. 5 Oregon (Fiesta Bowl) 

Oregon would face the winner of the Big 12, in this case the Kansas State Wildcats.

No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Oregon (Orange Bowl)

If this matchup is to happen, it’d likely be the third time the Ducks face Ryan Day’s Buckeyes: A regular season matchup in Autzen Stadium, a Big Ten Championship showdown and then the Semifinals game. Can you imagine the drama?

From there… the prediction is No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Georgia in the National Championship game.

PORTLAND, Ore (KPTV) – The state of Oregon is making strides to help accommodate people who are the most vulnerable to the heat.

The Oregon Health Authority said in the span of several months they’ve been able to distribute potentially lifesaving equipment to nearly one thousand people.

Over the past several years, OHA said the Pacific Northwest has been seeing weather like never before.

SEE ALSO:

“Oregon has recorded it’s hottest days in state history over the past five years,” said Dave Baden, OHA’s Deputy Director for Policy and Programs. “The climate models show the severity of heatwaves is likely to increase.”

Baden said OHA is trying a federal first for Oregon Health Plan members. He said Medicaid funds are being directed as a benefit to qualifying members, who are receiving long-term heat-related help with the installation of potentially life-saving equipment like air conditioning units or refrigerators to keep medications cool.

Baden said the program will last for at least a couple of years.

Oregon Health Plan members can call +1 (888) 834-4304 or email ORHRSN@acentra.com to see if they are eligible for heat-related equipment.

Some Portlanders might also qualify for an air conditioning unit. https://www.portland.gov/bps/cleanenergy/how-request-cooling-unit

Copyright 2024 KPTV-KPDX. All rights reserved.