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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Coping with Southern Oregon's changing climate ... Wyden, Merkley vow to reduce student debt ... Talent man faces new sex abuse charges ... Our View: Coping with Southern Oregon's changing climate ... Wyden, Merkley vow to reduce student debt ... Talent man faces new sex abuse charges ... JOHN DAY Flooding is new worry on fire-ravaged Central Oregon hillsides Watersheds above homes have been stripped of vegetation Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Sep. 6, 2015 at 5:45 PM By The Associated Press Posted Sep. 6, 2015 at 5:45 PM » Social News PENDLETON — With rain and even a little snow falling on a destructive wildfire near John Day, local officials were able to breathe a sigh of relief that flames are largely controlled, but another concern is emerging: the potential for catastrophic flooding. Grant County has asked an engineering firm to investigate what can be done to ensure fire damage doesn't cause flooding for cities and homes located beneath the charred mountains. A significant amount of the Canyon Creek drainage has been damaged by fire, much of its steep slopes are now filled with half-burned debris, downed trees and ashy ground. Without vegetation to keep debris anchored to the hillside, the potential for catastrophic flooding and erosion increases, the East Oregonian reported. "I'm just scared to death of what could happen," Grant County Commissioner Boyd Britton said. "We don't have any vegetation now in much of that watershed." The fire has destroyed 43 homes and burned more than 170 square miles south of John Day and Canyon City. Firefighters reported over the weekend that parts of the fire continued to burn but spreading was minimal. Crews are dropping water and strengthening containment lines. Doug Ferguson of Ferguson Surveying and Engineering will act as a liaison between the multiple local, state and federal agencies that will conduct rehabilitation efforts in areas of the Canyon Creek drainage harmed by the fire. "The silt and ash and debris that could come down that creek could be devastating. Everybody is still pretty focused on fighting the fire. But I am worried about the possibility of imminent flooding problems," Ferguson said. "We just don't have anything left to hold back a flood." Ferguson met with officials from the U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service and other agencies Sept. 2 to begin hashing out a plan. Restoration efforts to help control flooding, including soil stabilization and erosion control projects, will be conducted as quickly as possible, Malheur National Forest Supervisor Steve Beverlin said Wednesday. "We're moving as fast as we can," he said. "My directions to my team are: Let's have those investments down before the snow flies." Grant County Court Judge Scott Myers, the county's top elected official, said the flooding concern is legitimate. "If we were to have a gully washer or sudden downpour, with all the vegetation upstream of Canyon City virtually gone, we could get an influx of mud and debris . rushing into Canyon City," he said. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Sep. 6, 2015 at 5:45 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501