The Benton County Commissioners hosted a recognition and tour for a new wildfire evacuation route in the Oak Creek Valley at the Kalapuya Building in Corvallis on Jan. 24 to thank partners and highlight a successful collaboration that could save lives.
The inspired partnership has addressed a critical public safety concern in the Oak Creek area of northwest Corvallis. Oak Creek, surrounded by dense woodlands, faces a heightened risk of wildfires. Compounding the danger was the fact that its 1,300 residents and visitors relied on a solitary entrance and exit point, Oak Creek Drive, leaving them vulnerable in the event of a wildfire.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Bryan Lee, Benton County Emergency Manager, said he and others were concerned for the safety of Oak Creek residents. That concern led to a successful and important collaboration that was spearheaded by residents of the Oak Creek area.
Part of the motivation for action has stemmed from recent examples like the devastating Camp Fire in northern California's city of Paradise in 2018. Concerned Oak Creek residents approached the County, seeking a solution to avoid a similar catastrophe. In response, the Benton County Commissioners, along with public works and emergency management teamed up with other key partners including the Corvallis Rural Fire Protection District, Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State University (OSU), City of Corvallis, and the Benton County Community Foundation.
Over the past two years, a comprehensive solution was developed, culminating in the completion of the Oak Creek Evacuation Route. County Commissioner Pat Malone emphasized that persistence and strong partnerships made the project possible.
The collaboration included Oregon State University to establish a limited-use service road through their Sheep Center property. The new route connects NW Oak Creek Drive with NW Ponderosa Avenue, providing an alternative exit path for residents in the event of a mass evacuation. The gravel road is accessible to regular-sized vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Acknowledging the grassroots nature of the initiative, Commissioner Xan Augerot expressed gratitude to Oak Creek residents for their commitment to fire preparedness while Commissioner Nancy Nancy Wyse emphasized the significance of collaborative partnerships in achieving successes like the Oak Creek Evacuation Route.
State Senator Sara Gelser Blouin was also recognized before the tour for her instrumental role in ensuring the completion of the project to secure funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for the Oak Creek project. Moreover, Oregon State University Senior Vice President of Administration Paul Odenthal highlighted the University's success in contributing to community welfare while preserving the integrity of research at the Sheep Center.
The Benton County Community Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in Benton County, also played a pivotal role in facilitating private contributions to the project. Benton Community Foundation President and CEO Chris Quaka said that because of community members and leaders in Benton County, Oak Creek is now a safer place to live.
Encouraging future community-driven initiatives, Benton County emphasizes the importance of citizen engagement in shaping public safety measures. Gelser Blouin urged continued communication, highlighting that citizen letters are catalysts for meaningful change.
The success of this collaborative effort stands as a testament to the positive impact achievable through community-driven initiatives and partnerships. Thanks to dedicated citizens and local civic-minded partners, a critical public safety need that may save lives has been addressed in the Oak Creek Valley.
