Commissioners discuss complexities of remote wildfire evacuation

Editor’s note: The following meeting summary of the Board of Commissioners of Okanogan County (BOCC) for June 26, is taken from notes provided by Okanogan County Watch (countywatch.org).

OKANOGAN - Maurice Goodall, Director of Okanogan Emergency Management, discussed evacuation routes in case of wildfire with the Board of Okanogan County Commissioners on June 26. Goodall said he spoke with the Methow Valley Ranger District about the South Summit Road that has no current transportation plan.

“I called some residents up there and talked to them about the roads,” said Goodall. “Some of the roads are washed out and unpassable. It’s Forest Service property and not the county’s.”

To get some idea of the evacuation complexity, the road discussed has 29 intersections that need a sign or a gate to make sure people know which ones to take to get out of the area.

Commissioner Andy Hover recommended that drivers always carry a battery-powered chain saw with a 160-bar to cut through trees blocking a road.

Fairgrounds manager Naomie Peasley and the commissioners discussed the new security fee required for groups greater than 300 and for all groups serving alcohol.

Fire District 2 in Elmer City asked the commissioners for $150,000 in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to help build a structure to house their five vehicles.

Stan Christie of Ferry County’s Advisory Board for Travel and Recreation, asked the commissioners to consider establishing variable speed limits on Taroda Creek Road from Wauconda to the Ferry County line. This would open up many miles of WATV routes in Okanogan County.

Lauri Jones, Community Health Director of Okanogan County Public Health (OCPH) said her agency is receiving 66 Hepa air filter units.
“We planned on one for each senior center, or people home bound,” said Jones. “I was thinking libraries, city buildings or departments.”

OCPH is training with county coroner Dave Rodriguez on the machine to detect drug quantities without the need to send out for lab results: 17 minutes for urine, one hour for blood sample. Jones said DPH has received a quantity of Naloxone (Narcan) fentanyl overdose treatment. DPH staff is also working with Human Resources Director Shelley Keitzman on CPR and AED training. The AED machines are on back order.