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WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2023

Brookings, Oregon

New BHSD superintendent seeks connection ELLIIOT SCHWARZ Country Media, Inc.

Deep roots

Johansson-Chirinian has been a resident of Brookings since 1993. Her roots with the school district run deep. Before retiring in June 2021, she served BHSD for 28 years,

Helena JohanssonChirinian is on the job as Superintendent of the Brookings-Harbor School District (BHSD), officially taking the post July 1.

with 17 years spent in leadership positions. She last served as the principal at Kalmiopsis Elementary School for 12 years. Since retiring she had worked part-time for the district as a positive discipline coach. “I’m incredibly excited

to begin my new role at Brookings-Harbor School District and am very much looking forward to leading the work ahead,” Johansson-Chirinian said when the BHSD Board announced her selection as the new superintendent

in March. “The greatest strength we have is the connections we have with each other. I’m going to challenge all of us to use those connections to work as a team, so that all out students can grow up to be happy and

contributing members of our community.” A conversation In a conversation with The Pilot, JohanssonSee SCHOOL, Page 7

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE Officials say they’re seeing a ‘significant increase’ in human-caused fires in Oregon JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) reports a “specific increase in human caused fires” across the state this summer. “The human-caused blazes range from campfires, escaped debris burning, industrial operations, folks working in the forest, and we are also concerned about vehicles, such as RVs and trailers, dragging chains that can spark a fire,” ODF Public Affairs Officer Derek Gasperini said. ODF is also anticipating lighting strikes that could result in wildfire starts. One of the state’s largest wildfires this summer has burned more than 15,000 near Agnes in southwest Oregon as of late last week. The cause of that fire was under investigation and human activity has not been ruled out. Hundreds of fire crews were battling the blaze on the ground and from the air. Public safety restrictions were in place surrounding the fire. High temperatures and worsening fuel conditions in Curry County Oregon have prompted Coos Forest Protective Association (CFPA) to increase the fire danger level to “high” effective Tuesday, July 18.

Fire conditions in Curry County continue to worsen as the weather pattern of strong winds and high temperatures dries out forest fuels. Oregon State Rep. Court Boice sent a letter to Gov. Tina Kotek and the Oregon congressional delegation last week urging more action to protect local communities. “Declare a wise and legitimate emergency — override congressional laws stopping designated wilderness areas — no equipment allowed. This misguided approach is brutally dangerous to our communities,” Boice writes. “Also, we know without debate — millions and millions of our wildlife are incinerated — their instincts help them normally escape healthy-normal fires, but they cannot survive our tragic Curry Nuclear Fires. History proves what follows will work and save lives, property wilderness, watersheds, fish and wildlife.” Boice suggested the following: Immediately open and improve all relevant and advantageous roads. Seasoned loggers and firefighters (now in their 60s and 70s) – experienced people on D-7 dozers...cutting lines on critical ridge tops. Hand crew ‘back burns’ can help off the ridges, but are very risky. That work must have unanimous consent between USFS, ODF and CFPA prior.

Aviation work to cool both sides down. Hand crews catch the spots. “We should never forget, the Chetco Bar Fire (started July 12, 2017) on Aug. 22 many will remember; it exploded, roaring west – unstoppable as it traveled 18 miles in less than 40 hours,” Boice said. See the full letter at currypilot.com. Be prepared Fire agency officials said the wildfires can move rapidly and can be dangerous, so visitors and residents need to be aware and pay attention when the fires are close to communities. “Be aware,” Gasperini said. “Pay attention to local news outlets. The wildfires are a concern throughout the summer,” ODF recommends that you have a go-bag with essential supplies for your safety if you are forced to relocate due to a wildfire. If evacuations are possible, Gasperini said it’s important that the public pay attention to law enforcement agencies who will coordinate efforts to get people to safety. “Know the evacuation routes and the backup routes,” he said. See WILDFIRE, Page 11

Fishing industry gets needed support Wyden, Hoyle to STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc. “ S u p p o r t i n g Commercial Fishing in Port Infrastructure Projects Act” passed the U.S. House of Representatives, July 14, as part of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) Reauthorization bill. The bill is authored by Oregon U.S. Representative Val Hoyle’s (OR-04). Hoyle’s bill would ensure ports can apply for infrastructure grants that support commercial fishing, bolster jobs, and drive the economies of coastal communities. The bill will need to pass through the Senate before it can potentially become law. “Oregon’s commercial fishing is the backbone of our coastal economies. Creating additional pathways to secure federal funding helps us to keep jobs at home, source food locally, and build back the middle class. I’m in Congress to make

Metro Creative Connection Hoyle’s bill would ensure ports can apply for infrastructure grants that support commercial fishing, bolster jobs, and drive the economies of coastal communities. the federal government work for our rural coastal communities,” Hoyle said. “I want to thank Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larsen for their support to include my legislation as part of the House’s MARAD Reauthorization bill.” Current law does not

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make it explicitly clear whether ports can apply for Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grants that support commercial fishing, often leaving it up to interpretation that can overlook commercial fishing communities. Rep. Hoyle’s legislation would clarify that ports may apply for federal funding through the MARAD’s Port

Infrastructure Development Program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide a record $2.25 billion over five-years for the Port Infrastructure Development Program, the largest federal investment ever in our nation’s ports. Rep. Hoyle’s Supporting Commercial Fishing in Port Infrastructure Projects Act states that any secured PIDP funding can be used to support “the loading and unloading of commercially harvested fish and fish products.” Hoyle represents Oregon’s newly drawn fourth congressional district, which includes Benton, Coos, Curry, Lane, and Lincoln Counties, as well as part of Douglas County. Representative Hoyle serves on the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources. Visit https://hoyle.house.gov/ for more information.

conduct Town Halls JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc. Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will have open-toall, in-person town halls in Curry and Coos counties July 29-30. Wyden has already held 32 town halls so far throughout Oregon in 2023 – and 1,059 town halls overall statewide in fulfillment of his pledge to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties. “Shortening the distance between Oregon and Washington, DC is essential to representing our entire state, and why I hold opento-all town halls each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties,” Wyden said. “These upcoming town halls on the South Coast will give any Oregonian the opportunity to ask questions, voice opinions and suggest solutions to challenges in local

Town Hall Schedule Curry County 1:30 p.m. July 29 Curry Public Library 94341 3rd St. Gold Beach

Coos County 1 p.m. July 30 Marshfield Jr. High School 755 S. 7th St. Coos Bay

communities, our state and country. That all adds up to the “Oregon Way” – an approach unique to our state and one that shows all of America how democracy works.” U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle will join Wyden for both town halls. “My goal for my first year in Congress was to visit every county in Oregon’s Fourth District and to meet with as many constituents as I can,” Hoyle said. “I’m glad to join Senator Wyden in Coos and Curry County to hear directly from constituents.”

Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Ave, Ste 7, Brookings, 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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