Lake Whatcom fire 90% contained, The blob to return to PNW, Work begins on Whatcom Falls Park Trestle removal, PeaceHealth to restore palliative care, Avian Flu spreading, Money available for those affected by E WA wildfires, Bainbridge ferry limited to walk ons only, WA traffic deaths trending higher ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, the 5th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Lake Whatcom fire 90% contained The Lake Whatcom fire is nearly enclosed as firefighters report that 90 percent of it is contained. The north flank of the fire has been a particularly hard area to reach for ground crews because of steep slopes and cliffs. However over the weekend, helicopters have dropped water on this area and managed to secure it. Now with the more difficult areas taken care of, firefighters are finishing up the effort on foot. The fire broke out last Monday and there was a Level 2 evacuation order in place for much of last week. Now that most of the fire has been taken care of, the evacuation order has been downgraded to Level 1, and state and federal government officials are leaving the mop-up operations to local Department of Natural Resources crews. Blue Canyon Road will remain closed for non-residents until further notice. STORY: The Blob to return to the PNW A mass of warm ocean water known as “The Blob”, is predicted to revisit the Pacific coast for a third time. The return of the Blob could mean less snow for skiers and snowboarders and an extension on the current drought. The increased temperature of the water may also drive away salmon in search of cooler waters to feed in. The Blob was first detected in 2013, where it led to mass seabird die-offs, migrations of fish and plankton, lower oxygen levels, and an increase in toxic algae blooms that affected marine mammals. After its first appearance, the Blob split up into multiple smaller warm water bodies, affecting Alaska, Mexico, as well as the Pacific Northwest. Although forecasters hoped that weather patterns were going to shift back in 2017, the Blob has returned and, in combination with a predicted El Niño, this coming winter looks to be much warmer and drier than usual. STORY: Work begins on Whatcom Falls Park Trestle removal The beloved Whatcom Falls Park Trestle is being removed. According to park officials, the structure is beyond repair and will be removed by the end of September so the work doesn’t interfere with salmon spawning in the creek below the trestle. According to Bellingham Parks and Recreation Project Engineer Gina Austin, the trestle is in a floodway, where structures are no longer permitted and some of the trestle’s pilings have rotted all the way through. Also, the timber used in the trestle was treated with creosote (kree – uh – sowt), which contaminates water bodies. People are asked to stay away from the structure during demolition. STORY: PeaceHealth to restore palliative care The PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation, in partnership with PeaceHealth, has announced its intention to reinstate an outpatient palliative care program or OPPC for the residents of Whatcom County. This decision comes in response to community feedback following PeaceHealth’s earlier announcement to reduce comprehensive palliative care services. In a recent announcement, Dr. Scott Foster, the CEO of PeaceHealth Medical Group, acknowledged that the previous decision regarding OPPC was made hastily without consulting key stakeholders and apologized for any distress it caused. In the release, PeaceHealth said a new model has been developed with a focus on sustainability and improved efficiency to serve both cancer and non-cancer patients. The proposed model was approved by the Foundation Board last week. PeaceHealth plans to launch the program in early 2024. STORY: Avian flu spreading The Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are advising the public to avoid any contact with wild birds, particularly those that appear sick or dead. The outbreak of bird flu affecting birds and seals near Fort Flagler State Park which began in July seems to be spreading. Initial findings suggest that three harbor seals from the same area may also be infected with avian influenza, with confirmation testing pending. WDFW has already removed over 1,700 deceased Caspian terns and gulls from the area and is actively monitoring the situation. Recent detections of infected Caspian terns have also been reported near the Port of Everett, Port of Tacoma, and along the lower Columbia River. Although human infections of avian influenza are rare, they can occur through extended contact with infected animals or surfaces contaminated with their saliva or feces. Dogs and other animals can also become sick from bird flu, so don’t let your pets come in contact with sick or dead animals. WDFW urges the public to report any sick or dead birds promptly using their online form. To learn more, go to the Fish and Wildlife webpage. STORY: Money available for those affected by E WA wildfires Cash relief is available for people affected by the Eastern Washington wildfires. Residents in Spokane, Pend Orielle (POND uh RAY) and Whitman counties – if affected by the fires – can apply for immediate cash relief from Washington’s Disaster Cash Assistance Program. Unlike other cash relief programs, applying as a single person or non-pregnant individual is an option. This money is not available to people already receiving other disaster cash relief however, and the awarded amount is based on income, household size and need. Relief dollars can – at maximum – range from over $400 for a single person to over $1500 for a household of 10 or more. People can apply online at washingtonconnection.org or in person at their local community services office or call the disaster cash assistance hotline at 877-501-2233 to complete the entire application process over the phone. STORY: Bainbridge ferry limited to walk ons only The Bainbridge ferry will reduce crossings to only one boat and only allow walk-on travel …
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KMRE Antenna Update: July 27th
KMRE will be moving to King Mountain during the second week of August. We’ll be going through a series of tests first, but expect to hear us throughout Whatcom soon!
Vote for KMRE
KMRE’s October 2022 Raise The Antenna and Pump Up The Volume fundraising event has been nominated for Best Fundraising Event in the Cascadia Daily News 2023 Readers’ Choice. We appreciate the nomination and know we’re in good company with the other nominees.You can vote for KMRE through January 31, 2023. Best Fundraising Event is in the Arts & Entertainment category. Thank you Whatcom County!
Summer Fun
It’s Summer, and that means lots of local events and happenings. KMRE staff and volunteers will be out in the community this summer celebrating our new upgrades and handing out stickers! Come find us and say ‘hi’.
New specialty music show
Travel through time and across space each week to hear music made around the globe on Tesla Meets World. Hosted by Tesla, a local KMRE DJ, Tesla Meets World explores a different theme every Monday at 8pm, bringing music you won’t hear anywhere else on the radio right to your front door. Spend time with the musical histories of the continents, and cross decades and oceans to hear songs written about love, labor, and loss.
Pick Up Your Free Logo Sticker
KMRE logo stickers are back in stock! Pick one up today at these local businesses: Village Books in Fairhaven, Jo Joe’s Doughnuts in downtown Bellingham, Goods Taphouse at 2620 Northwest Avenue in Bellingham, or Greenhouse at the corner of Holly & Cornwall in downtown Bellingham. The sticker will look fabulous on your car, laptop, water bottle, or wherever you’d like to show your support for independent community radio.
