Slater fire on the west side.

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delnorter
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Slater fire on the west side.

Post by delnorter » Fri Sep 18, 2020 1:34 am

I’ve been helping man the closure point on Highway 199, California side, off and on as we take breaks from the worst of the smoke in the fire zone. Talking with firefighters from over the hill, on the Happy Camp side, we hear how you folks have gone through hell. Many have lost all. We are sure sorry for your loss and pray for your recovery.
Are there any funds set up to help as we can?

We have cut hundreds of burning and burned trees from along our highway right-of-way and adjacent private property getting the California side of 199 open to safe travel. The road will remain closed to northbound, through traffic, just north of Gasquet due to the fire status on the Oregon side. There is still an evacuation order for the areas around O’Brien, Oregon. The changing winds and abundant fuel is keeping the fire alive.

There is tremendous pressure to “open” the highway as this is a rural but major route between the local communities of both states a well as being popular vacation travel and destination areas. Besides safety, security of unoccupied homes of those who have evacuated is of paramount concern. Sadly, there are many people who take advantage of others misfortune and tradgity. There are not enough law enforcement to protect folks places while they await safe return home. As such Highway 199 is closed to all but truly essential traffic.

Hopefully the winds, a chance of rain and the heroic efforts of our firefighters will bring things back under control.

Mike
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