Jackson County recognizes Almeda-era fires with annual day of remembrance

The Jackson County board acknowledged and read a previously adopted board order (No. 158-21) designating September 8 as a countywide day of remembrance for the Almeda-era fires and encouraging a moment of silence at 11:04 a.m.

Reading from the order, speaker 3 recited the toll: "the Almeda Fire, which began at 11:04AM on 09/08/2020, burned approximately 3,200 acres, destroyed over 3,000 structures, and 3 people perished." The proclamation also recited that the related South fire burned tens of thousands of acres and displaced thousands of residents, and commended mutual-aid partners and agencies involved in response and recovery.

Commissioners discussed whether the county should send an email reminder about the 11:04 moment of silence; staff noted the order is on the public agenda and could be shared in a weekly notice. No new action was required at the meeting because the order had already been adopted; the board advised public-notice options for the annual observance.