C.O. Emergency Info Network: ‘containment’ definition, where to donate
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Tuesday's update from the Central Oregon Emergency Information Network looks at the definition of "containment," and how to give to wildfire relief efforts.
WHAT ‘CONTAINMENT’ ON A WILDFIRE REALLY MEANS
What is ‘containment’? Why has containment remained at zero percent on some of these large fires? Does containment equal success? If you’ve asked these questions you’re not alone.
‘Fireline’ is the hand or dozer line that firefighters put in down to bare mineral soil to hold the fire and keep it from growing. Over the past several days, crews have worked tirelessly to put in hand-cut and dozer lines to help protect the communities across Oregon.
Combined with favorable weather, these lines have been successful at limiting new fire growth toward populated areas.
But fireline by itself doesn’t equal containment. A section of line can only be called ‘contained’ if there are no more ‘hot spots’ or heat near the fireline. An area of line won’t be called contained if there is any chance it could ‘come back to life’ and allow the fire to grow past the constructed line. In fact, crews monitor all constructed fireline areas for several days - putting out burning stumps, cooling ash-pits, and walking the ground over and over to ‘cold trail’ by hand. Your life and safety is their number one concern.
Every day, every fire, every time.
Firefighters are successfully putting out fires, providing structure protection and limiting fire growth right now. Usually toward the end of a fire, the percentage of “containment” will rapidly go up.
DONATE TO SUPPORT EVACUEES AND FIREFIGHTERS
There are many ways to donate your time, money, or material goods to those impacted by the wildfires in Oregon. Here is a list of some recommended organizations and their websites:
- Red Cross Cascades Region:
- Donations can be made to your local chapter at redcross.org/donate and to register to volunteer, redcross.org/volunteer.
- 2020 Community Rebuilding Fund, established by Governor Kate Brown, is a partnership between the Meyer Memorial Trust, the Ford Family Foundation, and the Oregon Community Foundation:
- Donations can be made for long-term recovery: https://oregoncf.org/oregon-wildfire-relief-recovery/community-rebuilding-fund/ and immediate relief: https://oregoncf.org/oregon-wildfire-relief-recovery/donate-to-support-wildfire-emergency-relief/.
- Oregon Office of Emergency Management:
- The Disaster Volunteer and Donations Portal is a hub for signing up to volunteer as well as making a financial or material donation. https://oregonrecovers.communityos.org/
- Salvation Army Cascades’ Division Emergency Disaster Services:
- Teams have been activated, providing meals and resources across nine counties in Oregon, donations and volunteers are needed.
- Wildland Firefighter Foundation:
- Where compassion spreads like wildfire, raising money to provide financial support to families of those who died or were injured in the line of duty while fighting wildland fires.
INFORMATION ON HOW TO VOTE FOR OREGONIANS DISPLACED BY WILDFIRES
SALEM, OR — Secretary of State Bev Clarno issued the following statement in response to the wildfires and to ensure all displaced Oregonians are able to receive their ballot and vote this November.
“The families and communities affected by the devastating wildfires across Oregon are in my thoughts and prayers. Our team at Secretary of State stands ready to help both in the immediate response and long-term recovery efforts to come.
For any Oregonians displaced from their home and concerned about voting in the General Election this November, rest assured we have a plan and are working closely with local election officials to ensure you can receive your ballot, vote, and make your voices heard.”
For frequently asked questions, visit oregonvotes.gov/fires.
#####
ABOUT COEIN
COEIN’s website, www.coemergencyinfo.blogspot.com, provides a collective resource for up-to-date information. Access to accurate, timely information both, locally and nationally, is encouraged. Our County Public Health experts point to the Oregon Health Authority and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as good sources of information.
Central Oregon Emergency Information Network (COEIN) includes Deschutes County Health Services, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, St. Charles Health System, Crook County Health Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Health Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, tri-county public schools, City of Bend, Bend Police, Bend Fire & Rescue, and others. COEIN’s purpose is to collect, coordinate, and distribute timely and accurate information.
Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities
To obtain this information in an alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, etc. please contact the COEIN JIC at 541.316.0087 or centraloregoninfo@gmail.com.
