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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 3, 2005 Since You Asked Call these numbers for forest fire information When the Rogue Valley fills with smoke, as it has recently, is there a number one can call to find out about where the fire is and any action we should take — such as evacuate immediately? It is hard to know how far away the fire is when there is so much smoke, and rounding up animals can take time. I don’t want to wait for the 5 o’clock news to tell me I should have left at 3. I live in the south end of the valley between Medford and Jacksonville. — Liz N., Medford Liz, if you see the neighbors squealing the tires out of the driveway, that’s a good sign you should get the heck out of Dodge. Then again, maybe they’re trying to avoid late fees on a movie rental. Advertisement OK, let’s get serious about a very serious subject. Indistinct smoke isn’t much to worry about in and of itself. A distinct plume nearby is, as is lots of firefighting activity. Typically, the Oregon Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service depend on the media to get the word out about wildfires. "There isn’t any one number for a clearinghouse of information on forest fires," said ODF spokesman Brian Ballou. But you can call ODF at 664-3328 or the Forest Service at 858-2211 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to get information about where there are active fires and whether they are a risk. When evacuation orders are issued, local police or firefighters go door-to-door to let people know, Ballou said. Hazy smoke is not usually a reason to fret, Ballou said. "Oftentimes when there is a fire like the Deer Creek fire (near Selma) and the Blossom fire (near Agness) it will likely bring smoke into the valley," he said. "It’s not something to call 9-1-1 about. "Certainly if someone sees a small plume of smoke, they should call it in." Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to Since You Asked ">[email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s