| Precautions Taken at Umatilla Prison |
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Precautions Taken at Umatilla Prison Due to Nearby Fire
For Immediate Release: 9:00 a.m, July 30, 2001
Contact: Aleca Nelson, Public Information Officer
Two Rivers Correctional Institution
(541) 922-2024
A fire in a multi-acre timber yard at McNary Industrial Park in Umatilla affected operations at Two Rivers Correctional Institution over the weekend. Two Rivers Correctional Institution is located directly east across Beach Access Road from the industrial park.
Smoke was the primary concern from the fire that started at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2001 and continued through Sunday. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) units were shut down Saturday until late in the evening to prevent pulling in outside, smoke-filled air.
Although the prison was in no immediate danger from fire, outside sprinkler systems were activated as a preventative measure only. A TRCI crew of 25 minimum-custody inmates worked on the premises to minimize fuel for the fire such as weeds around the fences. At one point, the fire moved close to the Physical Plant warehouse but the crew assisted fire officials in putting out the flames.
TRCI was in modified operations status as a precaution for most of Saturday. The recreation yards adjacent to each housing unit were closed to minimize smoke coming into the housing units. However, inmates participated in all other planned activities such as religious activities, work assignments, scheduled education programs or dayroom activities such as meals and television.
Additionally, at 4 a.m. Sunday the prison received a request to provide breakfast for the fire crews. TRCI food services staff and inmates prepared over 600 pancakes. Later vSunday, the institution was back to normal operations.
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