What's Happening in Oregon??!?

I haven't seen much national news in a while (like since November), so it was a shock to me that fires were ravaging Oregon and "Forty-four percent of acres burning nationally are in Oregon.  Fifty percent of individuals fighting fires nationally are in Oregon and Washington.  Eight of the highest trained firefighting teams in the nation are working on the fires in Oregon.  These fires are spread throughout the entire state, with the heaviest fires being in central and southern Oregon..."  (from Cycle Oregon website).  This would have been the 30th year for Cycle Oregon's annual bike tour but fires would have impacted almost every day of their tour, so it was canceled late last week.  Their tour was scheduled to begin this weekend (9/10).

The route the Arthritis Bike Classic-Oregon will take appeared to be safe when I checked with our tour director, but since that time we have been informed that day 1-3 are being rerouted.  Days 4-6, so far, will remain the same.  At this time the tour is not being threatened with cancellation.  Rider and crew safety are the utmost concern.


Real time wildfire map provided by the Oregonian:
http://projects.oregonlive.com/wildfires/map#6/39.198/-112.061

Keep good thoughts for the people in Oregon, including those fighting the fires.