The Hoodland Fire District (HFD) deployed three personnel and a type 6 fire
engine on July 10 to assist at the Bootleg Fire, one of the largest fires in the
state’s history.

The blaze has burned more than 380,000 acres in the Fremont-Winema
National Forest in southern Oregon since July 6, as widespread drought
conditions and record temperatures have brought fire conditions a month
early to the entire region.

“This is the driest it’s ever been this early,” HFD chief Jim Price said on July
14. “It’s at least August-dry a month ahead of usual.”

HFD’s Lt. Andrew Figini was deployed at the Bootleg Fire on the State Fire
Marshal’s Blue Incident Management Team. HFD’s Lt. Eric Macy and firefighter
Dawson Kooch joined Brush 353 as part of a Clackamas County task force
deployed to assist with the wildfire.

Chief Price stated that deployment was limited to three personnel because the
district “doesn’t have any more (staff) to spare.” He added that despite the
shortage of available personnel that HFD “has it covered, and things will ease
up,” when more personnel return from scheduled leave.

Chief Price stressed the importance of helping elsewhere in the state and said,
“It could be our turn next, and they could be up here helping us.”

He also urged members of the Mount Hood communities to be aware of the
elevated risk of fire on the mountain stating, “Fuels in the area are very dry,
and extreme caution is encouraged.”

Price stated that in mid-July the Mount Hood area was already at Industrial
Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) II on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF)
fire protection guidelines for areas west of the Cascades. IFPL I began on June
25 and marked the declaration of fire season by ODF. IFPL II includes limited
shutdowns and restrictions on industrial operations in the region’s forests.
Community members are advised to prepare for potential public safety power
shutoffs, wildfires and potential evacuations.

Power was shut off for many Mount Hood residents in September of 2020 as
wildfires raced through the region.

“I would not be surprised if at some point (a shut off) happens again,” Chief
Price said.

Sign up for Clackamas County Public Alerts at
https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736729067#/signup.
Be prepared for public safety power shutoffs, visit
https://portlandgeneral.com/outages-safety/be-prepared/prepare-your-home.
Be prepared for wildfires and potential evacuations if required, find more
information at https://www.ready.gov/wildfires.