News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
BBR Police Chief Gil Zaccaro, BBR Fire Chief Ed Sherrell and Ranch manager Loy Hemly discuss return plans with BBR residents.
Sisters, 5 p.m., July 29 -- Portions of Black Butte Ranch could be reopened as early as Wednesday -- if the fire situation does not worsen.
Ranch officials said that residents of all areas EXCEPT the Golf Homes and Spring Homes could be allowed back on Wednesday.
Any return to the Ranch depends on the fire situation. BBR Police Chief Gil Zaccaro stressed that plans are tentative.
"There's too many variables for me to stand up here and make a concrete promise to you," Zaccaro told residents at a community meeting at Sisters Elementary School on Monday afternoon, July 29.
The Golf Homes and Spring Homes will be barricaded off from the rest of the Ranch while fire crews are still active in the area.
"They need the ability to do their jobs," said BBR Police Chief Gil Zaccaro.
Once the situation is secure, the Golf Home and Spring Home areas will be opened. Fiddleback Lane will be opened on a residents-only basis to try to ensure some privacy for the homeowners whose lots were most affected by the firestorm that hit the Ranch Sunday.
According to Oregon Department of Transportation representative Dave Neys, Highway 20 could reopen early tomorrow morning with some restrictions. A pilot car will be in place, there will be reduced speeds and no stopping or parking will be allowed.
Check www.tripcheck.com or call 1-800-977-6368 to check on highway opening information. Another community meeting will be held at Sisters Elementary School tomorrow at 5 p.m. to update residents on re-opening plans.
Editor's note: The Nugget will update information on the BBR evacuation and return whenever new information becomes available.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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