Following the devastating Holiday Farm Fire that burned 173,000 acres across the McKenzie River Corridor last month, utility crews are working to safeguard the local water supply.
Joe Harwood of EWEB says the fire caused “significant damage” to the area watershed. Now with winter rains coming, they’re focused on erosion control and containment.
“We want to prevent any of the burned debris including toxic ash from getting into the McKenzie River," he told KLCC.
"It increases water treatment costs, it could eventually limit the production of treated water from our Hayden Bridge plant.”
Harwood says they’ve identified 150 high priority properties along the watershed, and have used a contractor to move debris away from the river. He says McKenzie River locals can contact EWEB for a free fire assessment, and possibly erosion control measures on their property.
Copyright 2020, KLCC.
