The city of Brookings has declared a State of Emergency in connection with the Chetco Bar Fire and has entered a “Level 1” pre-evacuation stage.
Sheriff John Ward has also declared a Level 1 pre-evacuation alert for that portion of the Harbor community and other unincorporated areas which are not currently included in any evacuation notification.
All Brookings Harbor residents have a heightened awareness of fire danger during warm summer months and practice fire safety; a Level 1 pre-evacuation means a wildfire is active in our immediate area
While the City continues to play primarily a support role during this fire emergency, we are also preparing plans in the event the fire moves more aggressively toward the City. In cooperation with the Curry County Sheriff and the State Fire Marshall, the City has developed an evacuation strategy which may be implemented in phases and may change as fire conditions change.
Under the “Level 1” stage, residents should monitor the Chetco Bar Fire website https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5385/ and local media outlets for information about the fire and possible evacuation. Do not rely upon postings on Facebook or other social media unless those postings are from emergency services agencies.
This is the time for preparation for a possible fire threat and evacuation. Residents should clean rain gutters, rooftops and brush around their homes.
Actions should include choosing a location out of the Brookings Harbor area to which you may need to relocate. A preparedness checklist is listed at http://www.brookings.or.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/556
We are fortunate to have hundreds of firefighters and a great deal of fire apparatus staged in the City and at the Port that will be available to respond to provide protection to the community. However, fire activity is unpredictable, particularly during dry, windy Chetco Effect conditions. If the fire does move into the City, it is like to be from burning embers traveling through the air.