Fire Season

Fire season started on July 1st for the Oregon Dept. of Forstry’s South Cascade District (Sweet Home and Eastern Lane). That means it’s time to pay attention to fire danger. The current fire danger is LOW but indices such as temperature, fuel moisture content, and relative humidity are certainly showing that fire season is here. While the number of fire calls has been relatively low lately, grass is starting to cure out and conditions are primed for fire to move across the landscape.

ODF Districts to the south, as well as the two fire associations (Coos Forest Protective Association and Douglas Forest Protective Association), are already in fire season.

Digital connections

Is digital connectivity a threat to children? The Surgeon General recently called on Congress to mandate labeling on social media apps, akin to the warnings on cigarettes and alcohol, to address these concerns. This heightened awareness has spurred parents to take more active roles in monitoring their children’s online activities.

A recent survey conducted by HostingAdvice involving 3,000 parents sheds light on the extent of parental controls on the websites and apps their children access. The findings reveal a spectrum of practices and concerns, reflecting the diverse approaches parents take to safeguard their children’s online experiences.

According to the survey, almost 2-in-3 Oregon parents (60%) actively control the websites and social media sites their children visit (compared to a national average of 52%). Among these, 36% said they monitor their children’s online habits daily, showcasing a high level of vigilance.

Learn more at: https://www.hostingadvice.com/blog/screen-safety-survey/

Lazy Days

Roughly 80 people lost their homes in September of 2020 when the wildfire destroyed 21 homes and 15 RV lots at the Lazy Days Mobile Home and RV Park in Blue River. Nearly four years later, the site in the 52000 block of McKenzie Hwy. is being readied to receive 20 new two-bedroom modular homes as early as this summer.

Site work started last summer with all infrastructure, a community building, common areas, and spaces expected to occur by October. Ten one-bedroom park model RV’s should be on the property during 2025.

Most of the money for the $12-million project has come from the state Disaster Recovery and Resilience Wildfire Recovery fund, HUD, Lane County/Business Oregon ARPA, Oregon DEQ Septic Grant, and a Homes for Good.

Phase 1 applications for Lazy Days Park are now being accepted For more information contact Jamie Savage at 458-239-1875, [email protected], or via messenger.