Heavy Winds & Wildfires: Stay Up to Date

City crews clean up roadside debris
Attention: this was a news article posting from 2020

Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020

  • Current readings: Air Quality  l  Weather
  • City Hall, Library closed through Friday; drinking water safe
  • Republic Services drivers may not exit cab to service extras or glass bins; extras not serviced this week can be placed curbside on the next scheduled service day at no additional charge.
  • Recreation Camps through Wilsonville Parks & Rec. are canceled for the week.
  • Air quality conditions remain unhealthy-hazardous and will likely not improve until at least Thursday. Remain indoors whenever possible, with windows and exterior doors closed. 
  • Continue COVID-19 precautions, including hand washing, physical distancing and face coverings. 

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020:

  • SMART Walk at Lunch is canceled
  • Tonight's Planning Commission meeting to proceed virtually at 6 pm

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020: 

 Monday, Sept. 14, 2020: 

  • City Hall, the Library and the Parks & Rec. Admin. Building are closed.
  • Tonight's meeting of the Development Review Board (Panel A) is canceled.
  • Republic Services is not completing yard debris routes today.  
  • Because of poor air quality, it is recommended that you stay indoors whenever possible.
  • Currently, the Clackamas County curfew applies only to Level 2 & 3 evacuation zones, and is not in effect in Wilsonville.

On Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, Clackamas County removed Wilsonville and other communities from the area's Level 1 evacuation order. Air quality remains poor and people are advised to remain indoors, mindful of current COVID-19 recommendations on social distancing, face coverings and hand washing. Kids are particularly sensitive to smoke because their respiratory systems are still developing and their airways are smaller. Anyone with asthma or other lung diseases should follow the advice of their doctor or other healthcare provider regarding medicines and respiratory management; check on friends and neighbors who live alone and have heath conditions. 

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020: With unhealthy air quality, it is advisable to limit outdoor exertion or activity, and remain indoors when possible.  The Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has produced an online resource guide with information on air quality and other relevant topics. 

Friday, Sept. 11, 2020: On Friday, the Graham Oaks Nature Park was temporarily closed, until further notice, due to fire danger and poor air quality. Additionally, SMART, in cooperation with Clackamas County announced that they are prepared to provide evacuation assistance to Wilsonville residents if the City enters level 3 - Go - status. 

Oregon Department of Forestry is encouraging the public to avoid all outdoor activities that could cause fire activity such as disposing of smoking materials, BBQ's, use of towing chains, etc. Be conscientious and thoughtful about your activities, and avoid consuming excess water to ensure an adequate water supply for firefighters.

 For more updates visit the City's Facebook page.

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020: On Thursday, the Wilsonville City Council declared a local State of Emergency to facilitate inter-agency coordination, and take other actions as necessary to ensure the health and safety of the community.  Clackamas County also declared a local emergency and  instituted a 10 pm-6 am curfew.  The City announced on Thursday morning that City facilities ared closed thru Fri, Sept 11; the Library is also closed Saturday.  SMART Transit remains operational and, in the event of an evacuation, would be used to transport residents in need from City bus stops to the Transit Center to be shuttled to evacuation centers.

Clackamas County Evacuation Status

Sept. 13, 2020: Wilsonville was removed from the "Level 1" Evacuation Order on the countywide evacuation map.  

These maps indicate three levels of evacuation readiness.

Level 1: BE READY for potential evacuation. You should be aware of the danger that exists in the area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movements of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.

Level 2: BE SET to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntary relocate to a shelter or with family and friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. This may be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.

Level 3: GO! Evacuate now! Leave immediately! Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. This will be the last notice you receive.

In the event of evacuation, monitor the Oregon Department of Transportation's TripCheck website for the most up-to-date information on road closures in the area. Wildfires can effect road status’s very quickly and ODOT and regional 911 centers update the map as often as possible.  During an evacuation, those without transportation will be transported from SMART bus stops to Transit Center/WES station. 

  • Get detailed information from Ready.gov on preparations to evacuate during wildfires.
  • Clackamas County evacuation sites are listed here.  Those who can shelter with friends/family in a safe place are encouraged to do so, so that limited shelter space is available to those in dire need. 
  • Also, see guidance from Oregon Office of Emergency Management on how to prepare for an evacuation any time of year. 

For more information on Clackamas County emergency response, visit: https://www.clackamas.us/wildfires

AIR QUALITY MONITORING & HEALTH PRECAUTIONS  

A decline in local air quality can pose a significant risk to people with asthma, COPD and other respiratory diseases.  If possible, avoid prolonged exposure  when air quality falls below 'good,' and seek information from your health provider if you are at risk of complications. You can learn more about the impact air quality can have on health at the AirNow.gov website.

Air quality is expected to remain poor throughout the weekend. Monitor the air quality where you live by visiting https://www.airnow.gov/. Stay inside as much as possible with doors and windows closed. Children, older adults, and those with existing heart and lung conditions are at highest risk for serious health complications from wildfire smoke. Use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters if possible. 

Working outside when air quality is this bad can harm your health; mowers and blowers can ignite sparks that could lead to fires.  State workplace and public health officials are urging employers to stop or delay outdoor work activity where they can and take other reasonable steps to protect workers when air quality reaches the “unhealthy” zone, or worse.

Optimize your physical health by drinking lots of water and eating balanced meals. Stretch and move your body indoors. Don’t smoke. Listen to your body and contact a healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms of smoke irritation. Also, remember COVID-19 precautions if you are in a shelter or staying with a friend or family member. Use physical distancing and face coverings while you’re inside. Cloth face coverings do not protect from smoke. 
 

Water Conservation Efforts

To conserve adequate water supply to fight fires and minimize any loss of life or property, please refrain from any unnecessary use of water.  A coordinated effort by regional water providers is raising awareness to ensure the region has sufficient water. Wilsonville water remains safe to drink, and the Willamette River Water Treatment Plant is fully operational.   

Fire Response / Emergency Management Tips

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue is among many regional fire service agencies currently engaged in the regional response to area wildfires. For up-to-date information, follow the agency’s Twitter feed. 

Emergency Management Tips:

TVFR is requesting that people do NOT donate food, water, or drop off any items at fire stations. We are supporting crews' needs, and is asking those who want ot help to consider a donation to the American Red Cross or other relief organizations actively responding to these disasters. For verified disaster relief organizations, please refer to Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ORVOAD) at www.orvoad.org. 

Shutting off Gas Lines

If you are told to evacuate, you don't have to turn off your gas, just evacuate. NW Natural can and has turned off sections of their system in active fire situations. 

If, before an evacuation, you can safely turn off your gas supply immediately, locate the shutoff valve on the riser pipe from the ground to your meter (or, on newer meters the service line going from your meter into the house). Use an adjustable pipe or crescent-type wrench to turn the valve a quarter turn in either direction. When the valve head is parallel to the pipe, it is in the ON position. Turn the valve head crosswise to the pipe and it will be in the OFF position. Once the gas is off, leave it off.

WASTE & RECYCLING pickup

Republic Services is continuing to provide pick-up service. Because of air quality concerns, drivers will remain in their cabs, and will not be picking up extras or glass.  Customers will not be charged for extras next week. Collection may be delayed because of staffing shortages while wildfires continue to impact our region. If you are missed this week, you can put out extras next week free of charge. Questions? Call Republic Services at 503-682-3900.

City Debris Clean-Up

Public Works and Parks Maintenance Crews have been working  to mitigate the local effects of severe windstorms since Monday.

  • On Monday evening/Tuesday morning, City crews canvassed streets and parks to locate and remove any fallen trees from the right-of-way.
  • On Tuesday, crews completed safety inspections of every public structure and walked the City’s parks and trails to clear debris and maintain safe walkways. Minor damage to some fencing was completed on Tuesday. Safety inspections of public structures are to continue periodically until conditions improve.
  • Also, the City is conducting additional street sweeping to help eliminate additional debris on public roads; this activity is to continue periodically, as necessary, until conditions improve.

REMOVING WOODY DEBRIS

In the event of a fallen tree on the public right-of-way, please contact Public Works.

To assist property owners – who are responsible for removing woody debris from fallen trees and branches in their yard – the City is working to locate and place debris bins that wold allow residents to dump ONLY woody debris (leaves, branches, limbs) to be hauled away by the City at no cost to residents. More info on this to be shared if/when the bins are placed.

 Mental Health Resources:

To access mental health resources in Clackamas County, click here.  In Washington County, Hawthorn Walk-in Center for mental health and addictions care is closed to in-person visits because of poor air quality. Assistance is available over the phone and by video by calling 503-291-9111 (9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. daily). That number can also be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week for crisis help.  

Volunteering

If you're interested in volunteering, American Red Cross has an urgent need for help. Visit the State of Oregon's Disaster Volunteers and Donations Portal for more information.

Public Alerts

Sign up your mobile phone for Public Alerts to receive evacuation or other emergency notifications now. 

in the future. Information about how to sign up can be found at PublicAlerts.org or by visiting the Washington County Consolidated Communications website at www.wccca.com. 

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