Gov. Brown Activates National Guard to Fight Wildfires
Email to a friend
Permalink
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
GoLocalPDX News Team
Governor Kate Brown
Governor Kate Brown activated the
Oregon National Guard on Wednesday to assist with fire fighting.
Roughly 125 soldiers will be sent to the fire line after receiving training this week. They are expected to join the fight next week.
“Oregon National Guard members will join first responders who are working tirelessly to battle these unpredictable wildfires,” Brown said in her announcement. “We have weeks of fire season left, and it is incumbent upon us to make sure that above all else, we continue to protect the public's safety.”
Not the first resources
This is not the first time this summer that Brown has allocated National Guard resources to fight wildfires. Earlier this summer, four Blackhawk helicopters were sent to assist fire fighters. Support personnel were also dispatched to assist in the effort.
Prevention is key
Brown also called on the people of Oregon to practice fire safety.
“Prevention is crucial. We need every Oregonian and visitor to be fire-savvy and aware of fire restrictions and common-sense practices,” Governor Brown said.
Related Slideshow: 10 Significant Portland Fires
A four-alarm fire ripped through South Albany High School Wednesday morning, causing more than $1 million in damage.
The community will spend the coming weeks and months recovering from the blaze -- but it's not the first time a fire has significantly impacted a Portland area school, church or neighborhood building.
Here are 10 significant fires to recently impact Portland area communities.
Prev
Next
Thunderbird on the River - September 2012
Thunderbird on the River, formerly the Red Lion Hotel, which had been vacant since 2005, was destroyed in a fire that caused more than $5 million in damages.
One of only two five-alarm fires in recent years, the abandoned hotel on Hayden Island was home to multiple transient people and its owners owed more than $1 million in property taxes when it burned.
Photo: YouTube / Michelle Kottwitz
Prev
Next
Monroe Apartments - August 2013
The 46-unit apartment complex under construction on NE Monroe St. and NE MLK Boulevard burned to the ground in a five-alarm fire in August 2013. Officials estimated the damage to be $4 million.
Investigators later determined the blaze in the six-story development was caused by arson.
Photo: Flash Alert Newswire
Prev
Next
Eola Hills Charter School - October 2013
The Eola Hills Charter School, a small school in the Amity School District in Polk County burned to the ground in October 2013.
The school, previously called the Ballston Community School, moved its 42 students to a McMinnville church following the blaze.
Prev
Next
Open Meadow High School - April 2014
The Victorian house turned alternative school on Portland’s North Crawford Street was set to close the following year. The fire caused an estimated $50,000 in damage.
The property, now restored, is currently for sale.
Prev
Next
St. Andrews Church - April 2013
A two-alarm fire during Sunday service at the Presbyterian church on SW Sunset Boulevard caused the entire congregation to be evacuated.
Damages from the fire, which started in the church’s game room, were estimated to be $20,000.
Prev
Next
Crestline Elementary - February 2013
The Vancouver, Washington elementary burned down when a 17-year-old boy, later sentenced to 10 days in custody, started a fire on the school grounds.
The three-alarm fire caused more than $20 million in damage, but the school was rebuilt, and reopened for the 2014-2015 school year.
Photo: YouTube / Noah Patraw
Prev
Next
Marysville Elementary School - November 2009
The historic Southeast Portland elementary school was destroyed in a three-alarm blaze in which 500 students and teachers had to be evacuated.
The school reopened in January 2013, after roughly $4.5 million in repairs.
Photo: Youtube / Oregonashman
Prev
Next
South Albany High School - April 2015
A four-alarm fire ripped through South Albany High School Wednesday morning, causing more than $1 million in damage.
The fire was in the school's cafeteria and auditorium, cancelling class for South Albany's 1,300 students. Oregon Governor Kate Brown visited the site of the blaze.
Photo: Lebanon Fire District
Prev
Next
Chapman Elementary School - August 2013
A teacher arriving early fortunately spotted the orange glow of a growing fire in the Northwest Portland elementary school.
Fire investigators determined the blaze was caused by oily rags left in a trash can.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Prev
Next
Apolistic Faith Church - February 2013
A two-alarm fire damaged the church at Southeast 52nd Avenue and Duke Street in February 2013.
The blaze, which started in the attic and presented multiple structural challenges for firefighters, due to the building's sloped roof. It caused roughly $1 million in damage.
Related Articles
Enjoy this post? Share it with others.
Email to a friend
Permalink
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It