January 31, 2012

Contact:                                                                                                                    

Chris Strebig   360-891-5005                                                                             

Ken Sandusky 360-891-5007

 
Benham Creek Bridge Replacement

Closes FR 25

VANCOUVER, WA – The
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the Gifford
Pinchot National Forest, will replace the temporary bridge
along Forest Road 25 crossing Benham Creek this spring. FR 25 will be
closed beginning Feb. 1 to reopen by the Fourth-of-July holiday.

“Residents
and Forest users in the community of Randle and at the north end of the
Forest may have already noticed equipment around the area being
mobilized for the effort,” said Cowlitz Valley District Ranger
Kristie Miller. “We are excited to see this equipment arriving to get
the project started and hope the impact on locals and visitors is as
little as possible”

Last week
the excavator arrived. Contractors offloaded it near the intersection
of FR 28 and FR 76. Next the crane arrived in Randle. The truck carrying
the
crane was parked overnight at the wide spot after the turn south toward
the FR 23/25 junction in Randle.

Background: The
Benham Creek Bridge was destroyed by a large landslide caused by
flooding in January 2009. The popular 25 road entering the north end
of the Forest and accessing places like Windy Ridge and Spirit Lake was
maintained with a temporary bridge at the crossing.

The new construction will use abutments designed to withstand the next slide and pre-cast, pre-stressed girders.

CP
Construction of Oakland, Or. was given the notice to proceed on Oct. 10,
2011. They began mobilizing equipment last week. The “fixed-completion”
date for this contract is July 2, 2012.

When: The
closure of the Benham Creek crossing and FR 25 will begin Feb. 1 and
last until installation is complete. “The goal is to have it open to
Forest
visitors by the Fourth of July weekend,” said Federal Highway
Administration Construction Operations Engineer Craig Sanders.

Contact: Please
call or email the Gifford Pinchot Public Affairs Office with questions
and concerns. Call Chris Strebig at 360-891-5005 or email
cstrebig@fs.fed.us.

http://www.fs.usda.gov /giffordpinchot                                                                                  
                                       http://www.fs.usda.gov/mountsthelens


Carbon Monoxide Dangers

Posted: 20 Jan 2012 08:21 AM PST

This info is from Pierce County Emergency Management. While they are experiencing much worse weather than we are, this is still a good reminder of the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Always DO these things:
• Make sure that chimneys and flues are in good condition and are not blocked.
• Have oil and gas appliances, fireplaces and wood stoves checked every year by a trained professional.
• Every home should have a battery operated carbon monoxide alarm, but this should not replace the other prevention steps.
What should you do if you think someone has been poisoned by carbon monoxide?
• Move the person to a place with fresh air immediately.
• Call 911 if the person has lost consciousness (fainted or passed out).
•
If the person did not lose consciousness take the person to an
emergency room and tell them that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Our "Your Health" page has been changed  to information about preparing for winter, borrowed from the CDC.
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