The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

To the Editor:

While it wasn't reported, there was a fire at Zimmerman Butte gun area, Friday, October 26, at 5:30 p.m. Fortunately one of my neighbors called it in and the Sisters Fire District responded and extinguished it.

Several people reported "explosive noise" - likely Tannerite - before the fire was reported. A similar fire was reported two years ago.

This should make all in Sisters nervous. While we have seen an increase in population and visitors coincident with increased fire danger, the Forest Service has not changed its management practices of these gun ranges.

The law is clear on gun use, especially on federal land, and I am not debating gun use, but corralling shooting into one location for hours a day causes noise pollution, physical harm for people with PTSD and potential fire danger, within a mile of Sisters.

I would urge the Forest Service to do a better job of managing these areas. They neither detected or extinguished this fire and do nothing to be good neighbors and manage what they describe as Sisters' recreational gun area, nor have they investigated the unlawful use of Tannerite according to their dispatch center.

Stephen King

Editor's note: The Nugget has contacted Sisters District Ranger Ian Reid regarding this incident and will report on it next week.

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To the Editor:

Thank you, Jim Anderson, for your wonderful words about our amazing country.

To my fellow Sisters-Americans: Please, let's remember that deep down we want most of the same things, life, liberty and the right to be happy. We have so much, just being blessed to live here. Let's smile and say "hi" when we see each other and keep Sisters the friendly town I moved to 29 years ago.

Have a great day,

Jean Nave