News and Updates
Firewise forms for 2024
Please help us remain a Firewise Community by completing this form: 2024 Firewise. Printed forms are available at the mailboxes. You can put your completed form into the PVHA mailbox or scan-and-email them to fairbroa@gmail.com Please return forms NLT Sept. 30.
Your efforts to keep defensible space around your home and to remove other fire hazards are greatly appreciated! Thank you for keeping us all safe from catastrophic wildfire.
(posted 5/1/2024)
Save the date – May 18th
Benton County Emergency Services is conducting a Fire Evacuation Drill on Saturday, May 18. Participants will receive an “evacuate now!” message on their phone/text and will need to head out immediately – down Highway 34 to the designated meeting place. If you would like to participate, please send me an email, as the county needs to know who to notify and how many will be joining in. More information/details will be provided in a couple of weeks, as planning for the event progresses.
Email: fairbroa@gmail.com
In the meantime, here is a link to an 11-minute video discussing the proper evacuation procedures during a fire, particularly on roads similar to those in the Village.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91hgUjhmSIE
(posted 4/20/2024)
Wildfire Seminar
The OSU Extension Fire Program team is hosting a webinar on May 2 from 11am to 12pm on Not all Flame is the Same: Oregon’s Diverse Fire Ecology.
Description of webinar: May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and the Oregon State University Extension Fire Program would like to take you on a journey of fire throughout Oregon. In this webinar, a team of regional fire specialists will share diverse stories about how fire has shaped Oregon landscapes historically and currently. Understanding fire’s role in the place you live can help you become better prepared for fire and smoke, and more aware of your local ecological setting.
Who should attend? People who are just becoming acquainted with wildfire concepts and may not be able to distinguish between different vegetation types or the ways that wildfire varies across the state; and practitioners who may not have a background in fire/forest ecology.
Free registration, https://beav.es/cL3
Building request
We recently received this document from Benton County Planning. It is a land use variance the Nikkel's have proposed to have an exception made to reduce the frontage offset Whitman Place from 40 ft to 30 ft along Lot 54 because of the terrain. This lot currently is empty, and the Nikkel's are proposing building a house, garage, and shop. Part of the process is to let neighbors that may be potentially impacted know and make comment. The document says to contact the county by mail or email on or before April 8th. The File Number to reference is LU-24-007. Contact listed is James.Wright@bentoncountyor.gov . Address for mailing is Benton County Community Development Department, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis (541-766-6819).
Firewise news
The Oregon Conservation Corps (OCC) will have a crew out in Pioneer Village this week, starting on Tuesday. They will be cleaning up the ice storm damage in the area between Whitman Way and Greasy Creek. There is a large amount of dead brush and trees there that is creating a fire hazard. A small ground fire would quickly move up into the trees and have the potential to become a devastating canopy fire. There are a couple of other spots on PVHA property around the Village that they can also clean up, if there is time. The OCC is funded with new money at the state level to work towards reducing fire hazards around the state. Please be Firewise and continue to clean up the brush and downed limbs on your own property – you can bring them to the pile at the school bus turnaround that will be mulched sometime this summer. Thank you!
(posted 2/19/2024)
Firewise certification
Congratulations and THANK YOU for all the work you did in the spring and summer to keep Pioneer Village Firewise. The Firewise Association has notified us that we are once again a certified Firewise Community. This may help with maintaining your homeowners insurance rates. And it certainly helps with maintaining our fire safety! Thanks for all that you do.
End of Fire Season
The recent rains have brought relief to the forests of western Oregon! Fire danger is low, and fire season will be declared over soon (probably at the end of this week). Thank you for your efforts to keep us all Fire Safe! Please return your Firewise forms as soon as possible, so I can tally up how much work was done this year and renew our Firewise certification. You can print out a form at this link or take one from the bag on the whiteboard by the mailboxes. Please either scan and email it to me (fairbroa@gmail.com) or put it into the PVHA mailbox. THANK YOU!
-- Anne Fairbrother (Lot 57) Firewise Coordinator
(posted 10/2/2023)
Starker Forest Access
Accessing Starker Forest off of Greasy Creek Road (their Evergreen Forest) is now allowed. It is OK to walk on the road through the new clear-cut area at the top of the ridge, but PLEASE stay away from the brush piles. Starker is doing their post-harvest cleanup and stacking brush into large piles. It is likely these piles will be burned at some point (when fire danger is Low!) so please keep an eye out for the announcement as you will need to stay away at that time (obviously). Thank you for being a good neighbor with Starker Forests!
(posted 8/26/2023)
EXTREME Fire Danger!
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Fire Weather Watch (Saturday through Monday) and Excessive Heat Watch (Sunday through Thursday) for Benton County. Temperatures are projected to reach 105 degrees on Monday in the late afternoon!!!.
ODF has set the fire hazard at EXTREME for the next week, due to the high temperatures, low humidity (<20%) and winds (10-20 mph, with possible stronger gusts).
Additional fire use restrictions are now in effect. These include:
Benton County Emergency Management will be closely monitoring the weather and possible fire related impacts to the community. CERT volunteers and Emergency Operations Center Staff on standby and ready to help should the need arise. Sign up for Linn-Benton ALERT: https://www.co.benton.or.us/preparedness/page/emergency-alert
*** REMINDER: FIREWORKS ARE PROHIBITED ***
This is a reminder that Fireworks are Prohibited during Fire Season in the ODF West Oregon District. Pioneer Village is located in this District, so NO FIREWORKS this holiday weekend (or any other time during the summer).
The Oregon Department of Forestry West District has issued a Moderate fire danger level and that may increase to High later this week, due to expected hot and dry conditions.
Please be safe and consider others over the 4th of July
(posted 7/1/2023)
Dust control is coming!
Lignin will be applied to all the roads in the Village on Wednesday June 21st, starting at 9am. Please watch for the trucks and be respectful. Note that the lignin is REALLY sticky when it is first applied and is still wet (i.e., looks dark black). You may wish to avoid driving on the roads for the day to give it a chance to dry out as the lignin is very difficult to wash off the sides of your car.
(posted 6/20/2023)
Forest Thinning Project
The forest thinning project on the north side of the upper portion of Whitman Way has started. There is one person using a chainsaw to cut the trees. He is starting at the top and back of the parcel, so you will likely hear the chainsaw but not see anybody. He did put up caution signs on Whitman Way, however. It likely will be a few weeks before you see any activity and before there is any equipment pulling trees or trucks hauling logs. Any road closure of Whitman Way will be posted on the white board by the mailboxes.
(posted 6/13/2023)
It's Fire Season Already!!
Form ODF: The West Oregon District will be entering into fire season on Friday, June 9th @ 12:01 AM. At the same time, we will be entering into our public use restrictions. We are going on 23+ days of no measurable precipitation locally and none showing in the near-term forecast. There have been numerous fires in the Western half of Oregon already that have been pushing 30 or more acres on ODF protection. The 7K Fire is the most noteworthy which was just to the south of us on the Western Lane District. Locally, we have fared all right, but we have seen an uptick in fire calls in the past few weeks.
Watch this space for more information about public use restrictions which will be available at the end of the week. Until then, Be Firewise! and stay safe
(posted 6/6/2023)
Mulching of Brush Pile
Cutaway will be mulching the brush pile at the bus turnaround on Tuesday June 6. Please DO NOT PARK in the turnaround that morning. There will still be room for the school bus, and for you to pick up your kids in the afternoon.
THANK YOU to everyone for bringing your brush to the pile and for helping to reduce the fire risk for all of us. And thank you for your courtesy during the mulching event.
(posted 5/31/2023)
Wildfire Preparedness Workshop
A workshop to inform Benton County residents about fire preparedness and resilience was held Saturday May 20. It was organized by Oregon State Univ. Extension and included information from folks from ODF, Philomath and Corvallis Fire departments, Oregon State Univ. Dept. of Forestry, Master Gardener, and more.
Things talked about or shared at the event:
Additional research or guidance on home hardening & defensible space topics:
Benton County Firewise Grant
Benton County has $18,000 available for grants to homeowners and associations for maintaining defensible space, hardening your home, or taking other actions to reduce fire risk on your property. Up to $3,000 can be awarded for each grant. Information and applications are available at:
https://www.co.benton.or.us/planning/page/protect-your-home-wildfire
Scroll to the bottom of the page to download the application. Or click here to access it.
Completed applications are due NO LATER THAN 5pm JUNE 16 and can be emailed to Inga Williams, at inga.williams@bentoncountyor.gov.
(posted 5/19/2023)
Starker Forest Logging
Starker Forest will be logging through the gate on Greasy Creek Rd that is at the intersection with Clark Dr. They anticipate the logging taking 5 to 6 weeks, starting soon after June 5th. The main harvesting will not be visible to the neighborhood, but Starker will clean-up the couple of maples that blew down just below their gate.
Please be respectful of trucks and other equipment if you encounter them on Greasy Creek Rd. And it probably would be wise to avoid walking in that area during June and July.
(posted 5/19/2023)
Firewise 2023
Thank you for being Firewise and clearing out brush, branches, etc. to maintain defensible space around your home. The 2023 Firewise Form is available at the mailboxes or it can be downloaded by clicking here: Firewise 2023. This form provides suggestions for how to keep your home and surroundings fire safe. Please return the form in September to the PVHA mailbox or scan and email it to fairbroa@gmail.com. By compiling all the work done by the community, we can maintain our Firewise certification. This gives us access to more government funds and hopefully, someday, will encourage reductions in our homeowners insurance.
(posted 4/22/2023)
Firewise Hands-on workshop, May 20th, 9am-12pm
Wren Community Hall, 35515 Kings Valley Hwy, Philomath, OR 97370
In this 3-hour workshop you will learn how to:
Workshop instruction will be provided by Oregon State University Extension, Oregon Department of Forestry, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and local Fire Departments. There will also be time for refreshments and conversation among the group.
(posted 4/16/2023)
Ditch Maintenance to begin April 3rd
Cutaway Inc will be performing some much needed maintenance on our roadside ditches to help the storm water flow better along our roads. Please use caution while driving in the areas that the work is being performed. Have a good day!
(posted 3/29/2023)
Winter Road Work
Hazard Tree Removal Mon 3/13 &Road Maintenance Starting Wed 3/15
Starting Monday, work will begin to remove several hazard trees around the neighborhood. Please see the mailbox whiteboard for additional information.
ALSO
Starting Wednesday 3/15, Dennis Gibson Construction will begin rocking and grading throughout the neighborhood. The operator, Tim, will be using his best professional judgement to address the areas in greatest need while remaining within budget.
Please be use caution this week while driving. Stay Safe!
(posted 3/13/2023)
Please help us remain a Firewise Community by completing this form: 2024 Firewise. Printed forms are available at the mailboxes. You can put your completed form into the PVHA mailbox or scan-and-email them to fairbroa@gmail.com Please return forms NLT Sept. 30.
Your efforts to keep defensible space around your home and to remove other fire hazards are greatly appreciated! Thank you for keeping us all safe from catastrophic wildfire.
(posted 5/1/2024)
Save the date – May 18th
Benton County Emergency Services is conducting a Fire Evacuation Drill on Saturday, May 18. Participants will receive an “evacuate now!” message on their phone/text and will need to head out immediately – down Highway 34 to the designated meeting place. If you would like to participate, please send me an email, as the county needs to know who to notify and how many will be joining in. More information/details will be provided in a couple of weeks, as planning for the event progresses.
Email: fairbroa@gmail.com
In the meantime, here is a link to an 11-minute video discussing the proper evacuation procedures during a fire, particularly on roads similar to those in the Village.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91hgUjhmSIE
(posted 4/20/2024)
Wildfire Seminar
The OSU Extension Fire Program team is hosting a webinar on May 2 from 11am to 12pm on Not all Flame is the Same: Oregon’s Diverse Fire Ecology.
Description of webinar: May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and the Oregon State University Extension Fire Program would like to take you on a journey of fire throughout Oregon. In this webinar, a team of regional fire specialists will share diverse stories about how fire has shaped Oregon landscapes historically and currently. Understanding fire’s role in the place you live can help you become better prepared for fire and smoke, and more aware of your local ecological setting.
Who should attend? People who are just becoming acquainted with wildfire concepts and may not be able to distinguish between different vegetation types or the ways that wildfire varies across the state; and practitioners who may not have a background in fire/forest ecology.
Free registration, https://beav.es/cL3
Building request
We recently received this document from Benton County Planning. It is a land use variance the Nikkel's have proposed to have an exception made to reduce the frontage offset Whitman Place from 40 ft to 30 ft along Lot 54 because of the terrain. This lot currently is empty, and the Nikkel's are proposing building a house, garage, and shop. Part of the process is to let neighbors that may be potentially impacted know and make comment. The document says to contact the county by mail or email on or before April 8th. The File Number to reference is LU-24-007. Contact listed is James.Wright@bentoncountyor.gov . Address for mailing is Benton County Community Development Department, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis (541-766-6819).
Firewise news
The Oregon Conservation Corps (OCC) will have a crew out in Pioneer Village this week, starting on Tuesday. They will be cleaning up the ice storm damage in the area between Whitman Way and Greasy Creek. There is a large amount of dead brush and trees there that is creating a fire hazard. A small ground fire would quickly move up into the trees and have the potential to become a devastating canopy fire. There are a couple of other spots on PVHA property around the Village that they can also clean up, if there is time. The OCC is funded with new money at the state level to work towards reducing fire hazards around the state. Please be Firewise and continue to clean up the brush and downed limbs on your own property – you can bring them to the pile at the school bus turnaround that will be mulched sometime this summer. Thank you!
(posted 2/19/2024)
Firewise certification
Congratulations and THANK YOU for all the work you did in the spring and summer to keep Pioneer Village Firewise. The Firewise Association has notified us that we are once again a certified Firewise Community. This may help with maintaining your homeowners insurance rates. And it certainly helps with maintaining our fire safety! Thanks for all that you do.
End of Fire Season
The recent rains have brought relief to the forests of western Oregon! Fire danger is low, and fire season will be declared over soon (probably at the end of this week). Thank you for your efforts to keep us all Fire Safe! Please return your Firewise forms as soon as possible, so I can tally up how much work was done this year and renew our Firewise certification. You can print out a form at this link or take one from the bag on the whiteboard by the mailboxes. Please either scan and email it to me (fairbroa@gmail.com) or put it into the PVHA mailbox. THANK YOU!
-- Anne Fairbrother (Lot 57) Firewise Coordinator
(posted 10/2/2023)
Starker Forest Access
Accessing Starker Forest off of Greasy Creek Road (their Evergreen Forest) is now allowed. It is OK to walk on the road through the new clear-cut area at the top of the ridge, but PLEASE stay away from the brush piles. Starker is doing their post-harvest cleanup and stacking brush into large piles. It is likely these piles will be burned at some point (when fire danger is Low!) so please keep an eye out for the announcement as you will need to stay away at that time (obviously). Thank you for being a good neighbor with Starker Forests!
(posted 8/26/2023)
EXTREME Fire Danger!
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Fire Weather Watch (Saturday through Monday) and Excessive Heat Watch (Sunday through Thursday) for Benton County. Temperatures are projected to reach 105 degrees on Monday in the late afternoon!!!.
ODF has set the fire hazard at EXTREME for the next week, due to the high temperatures, low humidity (<20%) and winds (10-20 mph, with possible stronger gusts).
Additional fire use restrictions are now in effect. These include:
- No open fires, including cooking fires that use wood or charcoal (gas-fired BBQs are OK)
- No chainsaws
- No cutting, grinding, or welding of metal
- No off-road vehicles
- No mowing of dry grass (or weedwhackers)
- No use of spark-emitting internal combustion engines (except cars on roads)
Benton County Emergency Management will be closely monitoring the weather and possible fire related impacts to the community. CERT volunteers and Emergency Operations Center Staff on standby and ready to help should the need arise. Sign up for Linn-Benton ALERT: https://www.co.benton.or.us/preparedness/page/emergency-alert
*** REMINDER: FIREWORKS ARE PROHIBITED ***
This is a reminder that Fireworks are Prohibited during Fire Season in the ODF West Oregon District. Pioneer Village is located in this District, so NO FIREWORKS this holiday weekend (or any other time during the summer).
The Oregon Department of Forestry West District has issued a Moderate fire danger level and that may increase to High later this week, due to expected hot and dry conditions.
Please be safe and consider others over the 4th of July
(posted 7/1/2023)
Dust control is coming!
Lignin will be applied to all the roads in the Village on Wednesday June 21st, starting at 9am. Please watch for the trucks and be respectful. Note that the lignin is REALLY sticky when it is first applied and is still wet (i.e., looks dark black). You may wish to avoid driving on the roads for the day to give it a chance to dry out as the lignin is very difficult to wash off the sides of your car.
(posted 6/20/2023)
Forest Thinning Project
The forest thinning project on the north side of the upper portion of Whitman Way has started. There is one person using a chainsaw to cut the trees. He is starting at the top and back of the parcel, so you will likely hear the chainsaw but not see anybody. He did put up caution signs on Whitman Way, however. It likely will be a few weeks before you see any activity and before there is any equipment pulling trees or trucks hauling logs. Any road closure of Whitman Way will be posted on the white board by the mailboxes.
(posted 6/13/2023)
It's Fire Season Already!!
Form ODF: The West Oregon District will be entering into fire season on Friday, June 9th @ 12:01 AM. At the same time, we will be entering into our public use restrictions. We are going on 23+ days of no measurable precipitation locally and none showing in the near-term forecast. There have been numerous fires in the Western half of Oregon already that have been pushing 30 or more acres on ODF protection. The 7K Fire is the most noteworthy which was just to the south of us on the Western Lane District. Locally, we have fared all right, but we have seen an uptick in fire calls in the past few weeks.
Watch this space for more information about public use restrictions which will be available at the end of the week. Until then, Be Firewise! and stay safe
(posted 6/6/2023)
Mulching of Brush Pile
Cutaway will be mulching the brush pile at the bus turnaround on Tuesday June 6. Please DO NOT PARK in the turnaround that morning. There will still be room for the school bus, and for you to pick up your kids in the afternoon.
THANK YOU to everyone for bringing your brush to the pile and for helping to reduce the fire risk for all of us. And thank you for your courtesy during the mulching event.
(posted 5/31/2023)
Wildfire Preparedness Workshop
A workshop to inform Benton County residents about fire preparedness and resilience was held Saturday May 20. It was organized by Oregon State Univ. Extension and included information from folks from ODF, Philomath and Corvallis Fire departments, Oregon State Univ. Dept. of Forestry, Master Gardener, and more.
Things talked about or shared at the event:
- Homeowner Self-Assessment: The digital version is here. The digital version can be used on a smartphone or computer and generates a report that gets emailed to you.
- Fire Resistant Plant Guide: link here.
- Fire Preparedness webinar series from OSU Extension: link here.
- OSFM resources on defensible space & recent webinar series.
- Sign-up for Benton County Emergency Alert system here.
Additional research or guidance on home hardening & defensible space topics:
- Home Hardening Retrofit Guide: link here.
- Firewise Research Fact Sheet Series: link here.
- More information about Firewise USA program: link here.
Benton County Firewise Grant
Benton County has $18,000 available for grants to homeowners and associations for maintaining defensible space, hardening your home, or taking other actions to reduce fire risk on your property. Up to $3,000 can be awarded for each grant. Information and applications are available at:
https://www.co.benton.or.us/planning/page/protect-your-home-wildfire
Scroll to the bottom of the page to download the application. Or click here to access it.
Completed applications are due NO LATER THAN 5pm JUNE 16 and can be emailed to Inga Williams, at inga.williams@bentoncountyor.gov.
(posted 5/19/2023)
Starker Forest Logging
Starker Forest will be logging through the gate on Greasy Creek Rd that is at the intersection with Clark Dr. They anticipate the logging taking 5 to 6 weeks, starting soon after June 5th. The main harvesting will not be visible to the neighborhood, but Starker will clean-up the couple of maples that blew down just below their gate.
Please be respectful of trucks and other equipment if you encounter them on Greasy Creek Rd. And it probably would be wise to avoid walking in that area during June and July.
(posted 5/19/2023)
Firewise 2023
Thank you for being Firewise and clearing out brush, branches, etc. to maintain defensible space around your home. The 2023 Firewise Form is available at the mailboxes or it can be downloaded by clicking here: Firewise 2023. This form provides suggestions for how to keep your home and surroundings fire safe. Please return the form in September to the PVHA mailbox or scan and email it to fairbroa@gmail.com. By compiling all the work done by the community, we can maintain our Firewise certification. This gives us access to more government funds and hopefully, someday, will encourage reductions in our homeowners insurance.
(posted 4/22/2023)
Firewise Hands-on workshop, May 20th, 9am-12pm
Wren Community Hall, 35515 Kings Valley Hwy, Philomath, OR 97370
In this 3-hour workshop you will learn how to:
- Understand the fire risks present in Benton County
- Assess and reduce wildfire risk to your house and yard
- Select Firewise plants for your home landscaping
- Support your neighbors and community in this work
Workshop instruction will be provided by Oregon State University Extension, Oregon Department of Forestry, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and local Fire Departments. There will also be time for refreshments and conversation among the group.
(posted 4/16/2023)
Ditch Maintenance to begin April 3rd
Cutaway Inc will be performing some much needed maintenance on our roadside ditches to help the storm water flow better along our roads. Please use caution while driving in the areas that the work is being performed. Have a good day!
(posted 3/29/2023)
Winter Road Work
Hazard Tree Removal Mon 3/13 &Road Maintenance Starting Wed 3/15
Starting Monday, work will begin to remove several hazard trees around the neighborhood. Please see the mailbox whiteboard for additional information.
ALSO
Starting Wednesday 3/15, Dennis Gibson Construction will begin rocking and grading throughout the neighborhood. The operator, Tim, will be using his best professional judgement to address the areas in greatest need while remaining within budget.
Please be use caution this week while driving. Stay Safe!
(posted 3/13/2023)
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