Uncategorized

Despite the heat and forest fires, angling remains strong throughout the area

Dry lightning limits access

The brief cool-down from the scorching hundred-degree temperatures brought relief to many of our local fisheries. Also, the higher humidity that accompanied the weather shift has also been a blessing for the thousands of wildland fighters who have descended on our state and other western states to battle fires, many of which were ignited by a dry lightning storm that swept across several western states a couple of weeks ago.

In Oregon the storm generated about 4,000 ground strikes, resulting in more than 270 actively burning fires. 

In general we work to suppress fires that threaten homes, businesses, and other structures. Unless they blow up, we only “monitor” less-threatening fires in less-accessible locations. 

In our immediate vicinity the closest fires that are burning are above Blue River Reservoir near Blue River, and the Coffee Pot fire near Oakridge. Both have fouled the local air quality on some days and they continue to burn.

Checking in advance before you commit is key

In other locations, wildfires have created a major disruption. Although not “hyper-local,” Diamond Lake in Douglas County, a very popular destination for local anglers, hikers, campers and cyclists, had several of the area’s campgrounds shut down because of the Diamond Complex Fire. 

Within the “complex” are actually 26 individual fires that in many instances have expanded and advanced. 

Diamond Lake campground is open but was closed for several days last week. If your plans are to head that way, I strongly recommend you call in advance. 

Unfortunately, some fires, now burning out of control, have no predictions of containment, and we know from other recent fire seasons that larger fires will only reach full containment or be extinguished when the rain returns in the late fall.

Bigger picture, forest fire smoke covers much of the western U.S. 

I’ll add my own anecdote: My wife Tami drove over to Idaho to join a float trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River last week. And we didn’t escape the smoke from currently burning fires until we reached the most remote parts of the Frank Church Wilderness in one of North America’s deepest river canyons by bush airplane. For more information about wildfires burning in Oregon, the Department of Forestry regularly updates its interactive webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/firestats.aspx

Cyanobacteria (aka “blue green algae”) makes early appearance

Before moving on I have a little more bad heat-related news to share. Cyanobacteria has begun to pop up in a number of locations across Oregon including portions of the main and south fork of the Umpqua River. It has also shown up in some other popular mid-Willamette Valley lakes. Commonly referred to as “blue green algae,” the bacteria is highly toxic and if you, your children, or your dog were to ingest any of the bacteria-infected water, you could all become seriously afflicted by the bacteria. 

Find more information about the symptoms and how to avoid infection at this website: 

oregon.gov/oha/ph/healthyenvironments/recreation/ go to /pages/blue-greenalgaeadvisories.aspx.  

Email: [email protected]

Your support helps The Chronicle Foundation uncover critical stories and strengthen our community. Donate today.

Eat Local

Support Local

Newsletter sign-up