Gov. Kitzhaber declares State of Emergency

KOIN:

SALEM, Ore. -- Late Thursday afternoon Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber declared a statewide State of Emergency due to "the imminent threat of wildfire." The move comes after the Governor said he had determined that a threat to life, safety, and property exists throughout the state with the current critical fire danger situation. This declaration authorizes the immediate use of National Guard helicopters to aid in fighting the Barry Point Fire as well as additional crews and resources as needed. At this time there are six significant wildfires burning over 130,000 acres in Oregon. More than 1 million acres have burned in the last six weeks.   Much of the state is under an extreme fire danger and red flag warnings either have been or will be issued for hot, dry, windy conditions and thunderstorms.The State Fire Marshal's office says that, due to wildland fires, agencies already fighting fires on the West Coast are in short supply of fire engines, aircraft, hand crews and fire managers. A variety of restrictions -- related to commercial forestry operations, smoking, campfires and other activities -- are already in effect across the state. Forest visitors should check with forestry agencies locally before heading out. For example, Portland Fire Marshal and the Gresham Fire and Emergency Services issued a total ban Thursday for all outdoor burning including recreational fires, yard debris burning, campfires, fires in outdoor fireplaces or chiminea type devices, agricultural burning, and burning with a permit. Cooking outdoors in approved propane or charcoal barbecues is allowed, though fire officials say to use extreme caution when using charcoal briquettes. This burn ban includes Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, and the unincorporated areas in Multnomah County Fire District 10. Other burn bans and warnings.Portland Fire and Rescue says that citations may be issued to those who violate the outdoor burning ban.

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