With the recent wildfires raging across parts of eastern Oregon, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal and Oregon Department of Forestry are urging all homeowners throughout the state of Oregon to reassess the steps they need to take to help protect their home from wildfire.

"Conditions are hot and dry throughout the state," warns Oregon Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Jim Walker. "Homeowners, and the preventive actions they take, are the best defense against approaching wildfires. The most critical factor is for homeowners to remove or reduce flammable fuels within a 100-foot safety zone around their home."

Here are just a few of the preventative steps recommended by the OSFM and ODF. Steps to increase fire resistance in and around your home include:

* Removing the dead and dying material that accumulates around forest homes. Cut out the dead branches or brush, clean the leaves and needles out of the gutters and off the roof.

* Pruning branches from the lower 10 feet of trees to remove "ladder fuels." (Ladder fuels take a ground fire into the tops, or crowns, of trees.) Prune any branches that may be overhanging the home and/or chimneys.

* Planting fire-resistant landscapes. Most fire resistant plants can be found at your local nursery.

* Consider installing a residential fire sprinkler system.

More wildfire safety information may be found on the Firewise website at

www.firewise.org

July 17, 2012

10:20 AM

At 9:10 pm yesterday evening, Portland firefighters from Station 8 in the Kenton neighborhood responded to Harbour Freight Lines at 9026 NE 13th avenue for a report of a hazardous materials spill. Upon arrival, crews discovered that a 55 gallon drum of a resin based flammable liquid located in the back of a cargo trailer had been accidentally knocked over by a forklift while the trailer was bring unloaded.

The initial crews that arrived on scene took precautionary measures to help stabilize the spill and deployed precautionary hose lines in case the liquid ignited while the Portland Fire HAZMAT team responded as well. Members of the HAZMAT team were able to ensure the product was not reacting with other chemicals in the trailer and were also able to contain the leak to a small area of parking lot outside of the business.

Crews remained on scene for a couple of hours until a private contractor arrived to clean up the spill and decontaminate the trailer and and surrounding area. There were no injuries reported and no environmental damage caused.

Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) has launched our newest issue of our E-Newsletter! The E-Newsletter focuses on the following topics:

• Inside PF&R's Station 26 
• Summer Safety Habits - Water Safety 
• 2012 Portland Metro Fire Camp for Young Women 
• Emergency Response Statistics, June 2012 
• You're Invited to Celebrate Belmont Firehouse's 100th Anniversary 
• 3rd Annual Community Integration Cup 
• Looking for a "Cool" Way to Beat the Heat? 

To read the previous month's newsletters, please click on the links below:

• June 2012
• May 2012
• April 2012
• March 2012
• February 2012
• January 2012
• December 2011
• November 2011
• October 2011
• September 2011
• August 2011
• July 2011
• June 2011
• May 2011
• April 2011
• March 2011
• February 2011
• January 2011
• December 2010
• November 2010
• October 2010
• September 2010
• August 2010
• July 2010
• June 2010
• May 2010
• April 2010
• March 2010
• February 2010

Link here to read the newest E-Newsletter issue and learn more about the above topics. Click here to subscribe and receive PF&R’s monthly newsletter via email!

The Portland Water Bureau issued a ‘Boil Water Notice’ on Saturday, July 21, 2012. Customers of the Portland Water Bureau west of the Willamette River are affected. Customers of Burlington Water District, Valley View Water District, Palatine Hills Water District, City of Tigard, Lake Grove Water District, and West Slope Water District are also affected.

July 21, 2012

9:58 AM

At 7:38 am Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a report of a person in the water along the east bank of the Willamette River, just north of the Hawthorne Bridge. At the time of this incident, Engine 21 (Eastbank/Hawthorne) was responding to a different emergency call. It just so happens that there were 3 off duty firefighters at Station 21 who chose to deploy Rescue Boat 21 thinking they could make a significant difference being so close to the victim. One of the firefighters swam out to the victim (roughly 20 feet) from the east bank of the river while the other 2 firefighters responded with Rescue Boat 21. Once the rescue swimmer reached the victim a member from the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office used a piece of drift wood to help pull the rescue swimmer and victim to shore. At 7:43 am the victim was removed from the river. Members from Station 1 (Old Town) also responded to provide additional support at the scene.

"We're just glad we were still at the station and could lend a hand. All the responders worked as a team and we were able to achieve a positive outcome," said Portland Fire & Rescue Lieutenant Allan Burns.

It is unknown at this time whether or not the victim jumped from the Hawthorne Bridge. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital. More information will be given as it becomes available.

Station 21 is on the east side of the river and underneath the Hawthorne Bridge. This station houses a Fire Engine and Rescue Boat for emergencies such as this one. For more information go to

http://www.portlandoregon.gov/fire/article/56416