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Officials test for possible toxic algae in Oregon river
Posted by Reuters: Courtney Sherwood on July 9th, 2015
Reuters: Tests are underway to determine if a green film shimmering on the surface of Portland's Willamette River may mark the return of toxic blue-green algae that could be dangerous to both people and animals, officials in Oregon said on Thursday. The concerns come as dozens of people from across the country have signed up to participate in the 10.7 mile Portland Bridge Swim at the weekend, said Travis Williams, executive director of Willamette Riverkeeper, a nonprofit that reported algae concerns to public...
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Officials warn of potentially toxic algae on major Portland river
Posted by Reuters: Courtney Sherwood on September 17th, 2014
Reuters: Public health officials in Oregon warned recreational boaters and swimmers who on warm days flock to a river that bisects Portland to stay out of the water on Wednesday after detecting what they suspect is a potentially dangerous toxic algae. Oregon Health Authority officials said they believe the unusual film found at the Willamette River is the result of toxic blue-green algae, which is dangerous to touch, drink or inhale. Filtering the water won't make it safe, and fish from the river could be...
Rain, cooler temperatures ease wildfire threat in U.S. Northwest
Posted by Reuters: Courtney Sherwood on August 14th, 2014
Reuters: Lower temperatures and scattered rain brought a reprieve Thursday to the wildfire-scorched U.S. Northwest, where firefighters said they hoped to regain control of blazes that had flared during extreme heat this week. Four major fires in Oregon were fully contained early Thursday and mandatory evacuations have been lifted statewide, said Carol Connolly, spokeswoman for the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. But eight large wildfires continue to burn and air quality remains somewhat worse...
Western U.S. states brace for more lightning-sparked wildfires
Posted by Reuters: Courtney Sherwood on August 11th, 2014
Reuters: Dozens of new wildfires could break out across U.S. west coast states on Monday and into Tuesday, officials warned, just as crews begin to get a handle on conflagrations that have burned more than 500,000 acres in California, Washington and Oregon.
Several dozen major fires still threaten more than 1,000 homes in the three states, and heavy smoke poses a threat to people with breathing difficulties in several communities, fire officials said.
The National Weather Service said on Monday that...