School mask Work in mandate progress opposition Page A2 Page A3 Wednesday, .50 August 18, 2021 $1 thechronicleonline.com Serving Columbia County since 1881 Fire agencies issue burn ban Firefighters continue to face chal- HILARY DORSEY lenges with the pace of current fire
[email protected] season. “We can’t control the weather JEREMY C. RUARK or fire starts from lightning,” Hirsch
[email protected] said, “We can and we must prevent how many human-caused fires we Columbia County has moved add to the landscape.” to Extreme Fire Danger, and all ODF’s Chief of Fire Protection outdoor burning is now closed, Doug Grafe said the mix of heat, according to the Columbia County lightning and low humidity contin- Fire District Board, which issued ues to heighten the danger. the burn ban Aug. 12. “We have, along with the chal- All open burning is prohibited, lenging temperatures, likelihood even in Columbia County parks, of lightning,” Grafe said. “That’s a including recreational campfires, difficult forecast for us with lower portable propane/patio fireplaces, humidity on top of the ongoing and charcoal BBQ’s. drought.” “Anytime we go to an extreme Fire agency officials said the fire danger, it is definitely serious,” days ahead mean everyone must be Columbia River Fire & Rescue wildfire aware. District’s Rainier Station Battalion “We as the general public are Chief Jerry Cole said. “We know probably the number one helper in this inconveniences people with rec- this,” Oregon Fire Marshal Mariana reational fires, but it is for the best.” Ruiz-Temple said. “We have a role.” According to Cole, everyone Oregon Office of Emergency needs to be vigilant during such Management Director Andrew extreme fire danger.