Taste of winter brings snow to Mt. Bachelor, Santiam Pass; wildfires linger, but use restrictions end Friday on public lands

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A mild, at times unseasonably warm autumn turned less so Thursday around the High Desert as a windy chill arrived and snow on the slopes of Mt. Bachelor and at Santiam Pass.

While there's even a freeze warning in some nearby areas, NewsChannel 21 Chief Meteorologist John Carroll says this cold snap is not going to last long, as the temperature will be back above normal, near 70 over the weekend.

But it's still not quite enough to contain the lingering wildfires still burning around the state:

Bachelor Complex Quick Facts – Oct. 17, 2024

Size: 15,517 acres

Containment: 63%

Personnel: 235

Start Date: September 8, 2024

Location: 20 miles SW Bend, OR

The 15,514-acre Little Lava Fire received around 1/10" of rain yesterday and approximately 1" of snow this morning. While this moisture will limit fire growth over the next couple of days, it is not enough to extinguish the fire or constitute a season ending weather event. Additional precipitation over a sustained duration is needed.

Crews and heavy equipment continue work on the shaded fuel break construction along Forest Service Road 45 to establish a northeastern control line. Firefighters are chipping debris along portions of line on the southern and southeastern perimeters to further strengthen lines. Resources are starting to backhaul excess equipment like pumps where no longer needed.

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Red Fire Quick Facts – Oct. 16, 2024

Size: 3,060 acres

Containment: 15%

Personnel: 64

Yesterday, the Red Fire experienced minimal growth with cooler temperatures and slight moisture moderating fire activity. Today, the fire is creeping and smoldering following 1/10" of rain overnight and morning fog. Firefighters are patrolling Forest Service Road 60, mopping up hot spots 50' interior of the fire's edge, and mitigating hazard trees.

An emergency fire area closure remains in place for the Red Fire to provide for public and firefighter safety. Firefighters have recently encountered members of the public within the closure area which can hinder fire suppression efforts and is unsafe as the fire isn’t fully contained. A map of the current closure area and the order can be viewed here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices

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Officials also are ending public use fire restrictions:

Public Use Fire Restrictions Set to End Friday Due to Moderating Weather Conditions

Fire danger level drops to moderate

Central Oregon – Due to lower temperatures and increased moisture, public use fire restrictions will end on the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management on Friday, October 18, at 12:01 a.m., and the fire danger rating will drop to “moderate.” The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) remains at an IFPL I.

Given the prolonged hot and dry conditions this summer and fall, vegetation still shows low moisture levels. When the fire danger is "moderate," it means that fires can start from most accidental causes, but the number of fire starts is usually pretty low. If a fire does start in an open, dry grassland, it will burn and spread quickly on windy days. 

Most wood fires will spread slowly to moderately. Average fire intensity will be moderate except in heavy concentrations of fuel, which may burn hot. People are urged to continue to practice fire prevention and safety measures including not parking or driving on dry vegetation, properly discarding smoking materials and fully extinguishing campfires.

The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) is currently at IFPL 1, which requires a one-hour fire watch after equipment is shut down for the day and onsite water and/or a fire extinguisher and tools to prevent the spread of any fire.

Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic devise or using an explosive is always prohibited on National Forest System lands in Central Oregon and currently prohibited on BLM-administered lands in Central Oregon.

Information on current restrictions or the current Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) can be obtained by contacting your Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737.

For official wildfire information, the public can visit centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.

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Winterize your home or business now to prevent costly damage, insurance claims

PORTLAND, OR, October 17, 2024 – Freezing temperatures, ice, snow and wind can devastate homes and businesses if they are not properly winterized. Fall season is the time to take simple, preventative steps to protect your home or business from future storms likely to impact our region.

Winter storms caused nearly $6 billion in insured losses in 2022, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). While Homeowners and Business Owners insurance policies typically provide coverage against sudden, major and unforeseeable losses, damage from neglect or failure to perform necessary general maintenance might not be covered by your policy.

It's important to talk with your insurance agent or company about your coverage, and to
make sure your home or business is ready for seasonal weather.

Ice & Water Damage Claims
Approximately one in 35 insured homes has a property damage claim related to wind or hail each year, according to the Insurance Information Institute, and nearly one in 60 insured homes has a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year.

Homes and businesses in Washington, Oregon and Idaho are vulnerable to water damage as a direct result of ice dams building up in rain gutters. Clogged with leaves and debris, heavy rain, then snow, then freezing temperatures cause ice to build up between the rain gutter and the roofline, prying open spaces for water to intrude when temperatures warm. In many cases, costly damage that occurs could have been avoided with simple maintenance.

“Remember, property insurance is a partnership between the property owner and the insurance company,” said Kenton Brine, NW Insurance Council President. “Your insurance policy obligates your insurer to pay for damage to your home or business from wind, theft, fire and other hazards – but most policies also have exclusions for damage that could have been avoided by routine maintenance.”

What’s Covered & Not Covered
Standard Homeowners and Business Insurance policies will cover weather-related damage if it is the result of a covered peril, such as water damage to your home or business because a tree fell and punctured your roof, allowing water to leak inside.

Losses such as frozen pipes that burst, ice dams, frozen gutters and damage caused by the weight of ice or snow also are covered under standard Homeowners Insurance and Business Insurance policies.

Weather-related damage that occurs to your home or business because of gross negligence on the owner’s part may not be covered, however. Neglected roof leaks, gutters that have never been cleared from debris or inattention to overgrown or diseased landscaping, for example, is often excluded from coverage.

Also, damage caused by flooding from outside your home – rising rivers or lakes, for example - is specifically excluded under standard home and business insurance policies. Coverage is available in most communities through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) but typically comes with a 30-day waiting period before the Flood Insurance Policy goes into effect. Similarly, “earth movement,” from landslides, mud flow or sinkholes, requires special coverage and is not included in a standard home or business policy.

Tips to Protect Your Home or Business
While it may take some work to winterize your home or business, it is worth it to help protect your most valuable assets and your finances. NW Insurance Council and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offer these tips to help you prevent future damage and thousands of dollars in repair costs:

• Maintain gutters. Remove leaves and other debris from gutters so melting snow
  and ice can flow freely. This can prevent ice dams, which can push melting water
  under the roofing and into your attic. You may also consider installing gutter
  guards – screens that prevent debris from entering the gutter and blocking drains.
• Trim trees and remove dead branches. Ice, snow and wind can cause weak trees
  or branches to break and cause damage to your home or car.
• Check insulation. Add extra insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. If
  too much heat escapes through the attic, it can cause snow or ice to melt on the
  roof. The water can re-freeze, allowing more snow and ice to build up. This can
  result in a collapsed roof.
• Maintain pipes. Wrap pipes with pipe insulation or heating tape and insulate
  unfinished rooms such as garages that have exposed pipes. Also, check for cracks
  and leaks. Repair them immediately to prevent much costlier repairs.
• Keep your house warm. During freezing weather, the temperature in your home
  should be at least 65 degrees. The air inside the walls where pipes are located is
  substantially colder than the walls themselves. A room temperature below 65
  degrees will not keep pipes from freezing.
• Get to know your plumbing. Learn how to shut off the water and know where your
  home's pipes are located. If pipes freeze, you may be able to prevent the pipes
  from bursting by taking immediate action. Quickly shut off the water and direct
  your plumber to the problem.
• Get to know your sewer system. If your home’s sewer system is connected to the
  city’s sewer system, or if you are located downhill or below street level, contact a
  plumbing professional to install a backflow prevention assembly into your sewer
  system.
• Do routine inspections. Routinely inspect ceilings, walls, floors and windowsills
  for water stains, discoloration and musty odors. Also inspect attics, vents, ducts,
  washer hoses and outside water sources for leaks. Inspect your water heater and
  conduct proper maintenance to increase its life expectancy. Also, check your
  water heater’s warranty and check and replace heating system air filters.
• Inspect heating sources. Inspect your source of heat for any damage which can
  cause a fire and result in costly property damage. Heating sources such as
  furnaces, chimneys and boilers should be serviced annually.
  
  For more information about Property & Casualty Insurance, contact NW Insurance Council at (800) 664-4942.
  
  NW Insurance Council is a nonprofit, insurer-supported organization providing information about
  home, auto and business insurance to consumers, media and public policymakers in Washington,
  Oregon and Idaho.