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Back in summer of 2020 I sat at my computer listening to the Governor and our Fire Chiefs explain what was going on with all the “unprecedented” fires and fire danger in Oregon. I am at the northern tip of Clackamas County…farthest away from the 4 forest fires that were ravaging our county at that time..so I was on Alert 1 of fire danger…the least urgent…thank the Lord. However, I have family and friends who were closer to the more frightful areas. Actually, a fire chief commented that the fire spread 17 miles in just one day…it was going quite rapidly. So I was keeping track of the fire danger level near me.
Alert 1 – 2 – 3 Go
On Alert 1 you are asked to be READY to evacuate and have a plan for your evacuation.
Alert 2 means be SET. Pack your vehicle and be ready to go in a moment.
Alert 3 is when you are to immediately evacuate and GO.
In response I packed a small bag and some papers and readied my fish tank and supplies. If need called, I would transfer my Nerite snail, Tigger, into a small temporary tank and my kitty, Josie, into her stroller. We had already experienced three power outages. The longest was for 13 hours. I was extremely happy to be able to see and hear the news…and charge my phone!
See how to prepare an evacuation plan by the Western Fire Chiefs Association and recommended items to have on hand in event of a fire. They suggest the seven “P’s”:
People – Make sure everyone is accounted for in your home.
Pets – Get them ready to travel and have food and water available in your emergency kit.
Paper – Importand documents, ie, deeds, banking info, licenses, etc.
Prescriptions – Any medications for family members or pets, including eyeglasses.
Pictures – Any irreplaceable pictures or art or memorabilia.
Personal Computer = Laptop or hard drive.
Plastic – Credit cards and/or cash.
Climate Change
Yes, Virginia, there is definite climate change happening! We had WEEKS of high 80’s and 90’s in 2020. In fact a few years prior more than ONE or TWO WEEKS of hot, hot weather in August was unheard of in the Portland, Oregon area. Six years later we are having every other week of 90 degree weather and the fires continue scorching hundreds of thousands of acres. The forest animals are losing habitat and wandering into the city searching for food.
Present Day Fires
Oregon fire season is usually mid-May through late September. There are currently six active fires in just the Clackamas County Fire District.
The Austin Fire is at a GO now evacuation level. The most urgent as of August 10th and is southeast of Portland, direct east of Salem, Oregon.
The Mount Hood fire is at a Level 1 BE Ready and is the closest or directly east of Portland, Oregon in Clackamas County, about an hour away driving.
At just mid-August, over 2,230,000 acres have burned in the State of Oregon this 2026 fire season. This is an all time high for acreage burned in one year!
Road closures are happening and it’s good to check that line if you are expecting to venture anywhere near a fire area. In fact, I am planning on heading to Cascade Locks in the next couple of weeks via Highway 26 where the Mt. Hood fires have been breaking out. If you are going anywhere near check out the ODOT Trip Tip site.
My Experience
During the close fire of 2020 I texted back and forth to friends and family to see how all were doing. It was very hard to concentrate on doing any real work! I was just praying for all the firefighters out in the thick of that horrific event for days and nights on end with burning uncontrolled fire all around. And, for all those who had to leave their beloved homes not knowing what would happen in the near future…and those who had already completely lost their places of residence and treasured belongings, hopefully not their pets!
And now we mourn for the loss of life of too many of our fire fighters.
Can only imagine how devastating the forest fires in California and Washington have been and how very unfortunate that they continue on without letup here in the western states.
The only fire I have ever experienced myself was many years ago in southern California. It broke out in a restaurant’s kitchen where I had stopped to have a bite right after completing the California Real Estate exam. As the flames became evident we were all ushered out and I swear I never saw people move so ‘slowly’ in my life. I drove home wondering if that was some kind of omen about my entering Real Estate??? And, after exiting my car, my car kept moving. Luckily, I was able to jump in and set the emergency brake. Yikes!
Learning More Family Details
During all the 2020 fire news I was anxious to learn that my great nephew and family were trying to return from a road trip to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. However, all roads were closed to them to drive home safely. So that must have included Idaho, Montana, and Utah. I wasn’t sure exactly where they were at that time. They had to find a secure place to retreat. But I was very happy to hear they were out of harm’s way.
Your County’s Alert Sign Up
I signed up for an alert text message to be sent to my phone on the Clackamas County Public Alert sign-up page. And, I recommend everyone else to do the same in their location in case of any disaster coming your way. It will ask for your email and address as well as your phone number.
Safeguard Your Pets
Another tidbit: I have seen signs you can put on your front door or on your window(s) indicating that you have a dog(s) or cat(s) or other animals that need saving in an emergency fire, flood, or whatever. Good to use for your beloved animals. You can order these signs free from ASPCA.
STAY SAFE AND KEEP ALERT for yourselves and your neighbors!
Also take a look at how to safeguard your pet friends from heatstroke in hot summer.
Thanks
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