Oakridge mayor, city administrator seek to dispel misinformation about firefighting command center

By DOUG BATES/Editor/The Herald — Oakridge Mayor Kathy Holston asked for assistance Wednesday in squelching rumors that the federal interagency command center, which has been battling the Middle Fork wildfires since July 29, is relocating out of Oakridge to flee the fire.

It is not true.

What is true is that the incident command center, which has turned Oakridge High School into a sea of firefighter vehicles and camping tents, is expected to move to a new location farther west on Highway 58 to make room for the students and staff who will soon need to return to the school.

City Administrator Bryan Cutchen sent an email Wednesday to Oakridge city councilors, asking for their help in quelling misinformation about the command center.

“I need your help in getting the correct message out to your constituency,” Cutchen wrote. “While it is true the Command Center will likely relocate . . . it is not to avoid the fire. Currently, the team is occupying a significant portion of the high school and construction crews another large chunk.

“The new school year is fast approaching and we need to let the educators prepare for a successful term. The Command Center is sensitive to this and would like to free up the space.

“Their future level of support will remain at the competent, high level currently provided. And as part of the bigger picture, this team is not only managing the Kwis Fire at our front door to the east but also several fires to the north, one of which may present a problem for Oakridge in the future.

“Let’s correct the narrative if you see it going astray.”