Homepage reporters were on Highway 18 Sunday after attempts to get media access to the Echo Mountain Complex Wildfire and affected neighborhoods was not granted.
After running into National Guard humvees at NE East Devils Lake Road and NE Highland Road, we hiked up Highway 18, trying to provide coverage of what’s going on in the area.
Reports of National Guard deployments, citizens not being allowed to leave their property and other stories from residents in the area couldn’t be investigated without access.
As we approached Otis, we were met by a Lincoln County Sheriff Deputy, who informed us we couldn’t be on Highway 18 as it was “not safe” and gave us a ride back to where we started. The deputy said there were downed power lines and other dangers crews were working to fix.
Shortly after our attempt to reach Otis, Lincoln County Sheriff Curtis Landers put out a statement that his deputies would assist residents in their efforts to find out if their home was safe or not. Families who need to check on the status of a home can now do so with a Google Docs form provided by the Sheriff’s Office.
Lincoln City Mayor Dick Anderson spoke with us at the Lincoln City Community Center earlier on Sunday and answered questions about the economic damages facing the tourist destination on the Oregon coast, the challenge of recovery and called for state and federal officials to take preventative measures in the future.
Also on Sunday, we spoke with Hal Graves, a retired Navy Veteran, who had problems getting prescriptions. Mayor Anderson gave him the Red Cross number, 503-284-1234.
Homepage spoke with homeowner Cherry Kroff, an 82-year-old who described firefighters battle to save a neighborhood on the east side of Devils Lake and possibly the town.
Lineman Jarrett Buchanan told us of things he saw while repairing power lines and spoke of an osprey nest that burst into flames on NE East Devils Lake Road.
Emergency expert Bruce Polvi, who owns Lincoln City Sporting goods talked about the last minute rush for emergency supplies in Lincoln City.
I didn’t know the Red Cross has an office here.I’m NOT going to defend the Mayor,or any semi-career politician, but that was a dumb thing to say and perhaps he was caught off guard.
I already have all the ammo I need for an emergency, but going shopping after
an event like we’ve had, is interesting at least. We lacked for nothing but
information for the most part.
Nice to see that the mayor finally showed up after all this time.
Mayor Anderson cares about “the economy”, which is why we were overloaded with tourists during a pandemic to begin with. And what kind of answer about not getting prescriptions is “contact the Red Cross.” Way to pass the buck. What we need in Lincoln City is leadership who cares about its residents, not its potential to make money during a crisis. Oh, and I love the quote from LC Sporting goods on the “last minute rush for emergency supplies.” He means people flocked in to buy guns. GUNS. These are NOT emergency supplies, and serve only to fuel more dangerous discord with people whose tempers are already flaring. Reporters need to follow rules set by fire authorities. It’s your arse they’ll be saving in lieu of fighting the fire. People need to be patient in waiting for news…it shouldn’t come with risking lives to get that info. And yes’m sheriffs should be more accommodating with info. Big shout out to LCFD, who did a great job on Echo Mountain.