Camp Sherman fire survivors celebrate

Pancakes and camraderie were the order of the day at a Camp Sherman breakfast. photo by Conrad Weiler

Camp Sherman's historic Community Hall overflowed with nearly 200 celebrants for a Saturday evening "Survivor Fest" potluck on October 11.

One of the largest crowds in recent Camp Sherman history enjoyed a large variety of salads, pasta dishes, fish, meats and eye-catching desserts.

Friends and neighbors shared many hugs and stories over the evening.

After dinner Toni Foster, a member of the Camp Sherman Hasty Team Search and Rescue (SAR) unit, reviewed survey results of the evacuation with her large audience.

"The SAR team's efforts led to an evacuation of Camp Sherman without injury and was completed in four hours," she said. "Totally, we had four evacuations including two from Camp Sherman, one at Suttle Lake and one wilderness evacuation.

"We had cooperative evacuees and excellent agency relations during the evacuation periods."

Local community response to the survey indicated that pre-planning was excellent and was very helpful during the evacuations. Camp Sherman has about 290 cabins and homes spread out over a wide geographical area. Many of these structures are on unpaved, narrow forest roads.

The reverse 9-1-1 alert system did not work as planned. This would have called residents and given information about evacuation plans. Also, the hi-lo siren did not work. These problems are being worked on and are expected to be resolved shortly. A progress report will be given at the Memorial Day meeting, 2004, at the Community Hall.

"We continue to make provisions for evacuations in the future although we hope this never happens again," said Sergeant Mark Foster, Jefferson County, local SAR leader.

"There are other conditions that could arise and call for evacuation from the area," he said.

Sgt. Foster emphasized preparedness.

"Making defensible space around your home and using fire resistant vegetation for landscaping can be very helpful in helping firefighters during a fire," he said.

It was also reported that the B&B Complex Fire is still burning and the investigation is ongoing regarding the cause of the fire. It may take winter snows to completely quell the fire.

The evening concluded with Jinny Pitman, Fire Prevention Technician with the Sisters Ranger District office, describing fire movement using images taken over the 2-1/2-week evacuation period.

"We hope the cause of these fires will soon be known," said Pitman.

"Lightning may have been the cause. We had 3,000 strikes during the first week in August and these can cause smoldering fire for several weeks. (See story, page 1).

"The fire team has a large job ahead in post-fire rehabilitation in burned areas," she said.

Deputy Sheriff Dave Blann, member of the Camp Sherman Community Association, held auctions for fleece blankets during the evening and raised $1,320 for the SAR team from local residents.

Bright and early the next morning, grills were heating and food was being prepared for the Sunday pancake breakfast at the Community Hall to benefit the Deschutes County Red Cross.

The Red Cross was most helpful during the fire evacuation, providing food, lodging, information and a gathering place for Camp Sherman residents.

"It's hard to put a donation figure on my check for the Red Cross. They did so much for people in the area," said Betty Sloop.

Local residents and Black Butte School students served breakfast to the overflow crowd filling the hall. All enjoyed pancakes, ham, eggs, coffee and juice.

More than $2,000 was donated for the Red Cross team.