Hoodland Fire Chief Mic Eby gets to break in the district’s latest addition, a
2016 Ford Explorer that will serve as the fire chief’s new vehicle.

Eby noted the district was able to replace the old one, a Ford Tahoe purchased
in 2003, through a state bid that saw numerous agencies, including the
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police, get a deal.

Eby noted that Deputy Chief John Ingrao researched and set up the new rig,
including lights and sirens, which came in under budget. It was purchased at
Suburban Auto Group in Sandy.

The new vehicle is smaller and lower to the ground than the old one, so Eby
added that he is testing it to see where it’s limits are, particularly when it
comes to forest roads and other more difficult terrain.

“So far it’s done real good,” Eby said, adding that he’s found the sirens help
move traffic over better than the previous rig.

The district is expected to sell the old command vehicle and another 2003
Tahoe that has been up in Government Camp, or offer it to another fire
district in need.

In other district news, four recruits have started training on combating fire
fighting, including how to operate ventilation saws, throw ladders, hazardous
materials, incident command and more. The recruits are expected to go
through intensive training in wildland firefighting in June and will graduate on
Wednesday, June 22 as fully certified state firefighters and state wildland
firefighters.

“We wear both types of hats,” said Ingrao, noting the district has a contract to
help fight fires with the U.S. Forest Service. “Up here it’s important because
we’re surrounded by national forest and state protected lands.”

The district is also making the transition from winter operations to spring and
summer operations, including replacing snow tracks with tires and restoring
outdoor pump equipment into proper shape. Eby noted that with some hot
days that have arrived already, it’s important to be prepared.
“It’s good to know that we got more moisture in the ground than we did last
year,” he added.
Eby also recommended that people be prepared as they take advantage of the
better weather, including the possibilities of bee stings and being ready for
emergencies when going outside.

The burn season has also started and Eby noted that only woody debris,
including limbs and leaves are allowed to be burned. No petroleum products,
insulation, foam, garbage, rugs or anything that will produce hazardous
smoke are allowed.

A burn pile that is five feet long by five feet wide by no taller than five feet
high does not require a permit. Burn piles have to be ten feet away from any
combustible material such as structures, trees, utilities and other burn piles,
and must have a clear trail completely around the pile that is down to dirt
level. It cannot be within ten feet of moving creek, stream or river.

Permits are required for burn piles bigger than five feet by five feet by five
feet, which can be made up of slash from land clearing, thinning, brush/stump
removal and debris blown down from wind storms.

Those interested in a burn pile should call the “Burn Line” at 503-622-3463, to
make sure it is a burn day. Burn times are 8 a.m. through dusk, with no
burning at night.

Chief’s Message
The Hoodland Fire District offers chimney brushes to borrow for no cost.
Anyone interested can stop by the main station, 69634 Hwy. 26 in Welches, to
fill out a form, including the size of the chimney and the number of stories.

Chief Eby noted that the district used to have two or three chimney fires per
week, but following the implementation of the brush loan program, he
estimates they were reduced by approximately 80 percent.