While the nation’s overall air quality improves, the Northwest moves in another direction
Despite a relatively mild wildfire season for smoke in the Portland metro region in 2022, a newly released report shows overall air quality decreased throughout the Pacific Northwest region compared to the previous year. The report looks specifically at a type of particulate pollution that hangs in the air from wood smoke. While particulate readings spike during wildfire season, smoke from wood stoves and other sources of pollution also poses a problem during the winter. Bowl-shaped areas like the Tualatin Valley have a more pronounced winter inversion effect, further contributing to pollution hanging in the air. While the United States’ overall levels of pollution decreased in 2022, the Pacific Northwest trended in the opposite direction. (Troy Shinn/Portland Tribune)
Elk herd killed in train collision east of Cape Horn
A BNSF Railway freight train recently killed a herd of two dozen elk just east of Cape Horn Lookout. The Columbian reported that train operators used their emergency braking system while traveling in a heavily wooded area between state Highway 14 and the Columbia River, but could not stop before colliding with the animals. The elk died on impact. Wildlife officials in Washington suspect the elk herd was walking along the train tracks because it is easier to travel there than going through the heavy vegetation. They also called the collision an anomaly. Few large animals are typically killed by trains in Washington. (OPB Staff)
Problems persist with late or unfilled grain railcar orders
Every year, Hayworth Seed in Harrisburg ships rail cars full of wheat to export terminals, but a nationwide shortage of rail cars has left the company in a jam. “I’ve got more wheat coming in than we can store,” said company manager Hubert Christensen. Last fall, he ordered 135 cars but received 74. This year, he’s hoping to load up 160 to 170 cars. According to a recent weekly federal report, the U.S. had nearly 8,700 late or unfilled grain car orders. When rail cars are late or never show up, Christensen said farmers have to store their grain or find trucks to ship their harvest. That, he said, costs them more money at the same time he loses out on revenue. (Matthew Weaver/Capital Press)
Budding concern for trees inspires Bend City Council discussion
Concern for Bend’s trees has been budding for years but has taken a back seat while officials dealt with the city’s population boom and a dire need for more housing. Not anymore. The city council plans to discuss tree policies during a Wednesday night work session. Mayor Melanie Kebler said she is looking for balance while she and other council members consider existing rules and whether any need changing. “I think the way to think about it is to start from a place where we can’t be either extreme,” Kebler said. “We can’t save every tree. Some trees are going to be cut down within the urban growth boundary.” (Anna Kaminski/The Bend Bulletin)
Ashland hires its first-ever emergency management coordinator
Ashland recently hired its first emergency management coordinator to help prepare the city for future disasters like wildfires. Kelly Burns, who worked for Ashland Fire and Rescue for 32 years, is stepping into the role. Burns said one of his first objectives is to create a local Emergency Operations Center. Other goals, he said, include building partnerships in the community, training people for incident command roles and educating the public on evacuation plans and the importance of subscribing to emergency alerts. (Jane Vaughan/Jefferson Public Radio)
