![]() Right: The DEQ air quality index is a color-coded tool that measures air pollution based on the units ppm (parts per million) and µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter.) In this photo the AQI was nearly 490, well into the hazardous zone. Left: The Milli Fire grew to burn more than 24,000 acres and has added to the region’s hazardous smoke levels this fall. Sparked by lightning near lack Crater Lake, it quickly grew as strong winds fanned it southeast through the upper 2 miles of nearby Trout Creek and toward a section of Whychus Creek. On August 11, the Milli Fire started burning just 9 miles from our town of Sisters. These lands hold massive numbers of fisheries, including Whychus Creek. Oregon fires abound with the names like Eagle Creek, Miller Complex, Chetco Bar Fire, Jones Fire, Nash Fire, Rebel Fire, and on and on. A map from inciweb nearly glows orange with wildfire emoticons plastered along the corridors of Oregon wildlands, running north and south along the Cascades Range, on the eastern dry side as well as the more temperate western side. While Montana and Idaho currently burn, the state of Oregon is on fire, too. Here Stella Moen sends a small steelhead on its way. Together with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, teachers developed “The Stream Stewards” storyline, where students learned about nature, the life-cycle of fish and specifically about Whychus Creek. Photos by Todd and Kelley Moen Sisters Elementary kids were able to grow and release steelhead fry into Wychus Creek, just a few blocks from their school. In the process of creating the work, students have come to understand the importance of Whychus Creek and the habitat and biodiversity of Sisters Country. All of the students of the Sisters Elementary School participated in the project, along with community members who helped paint the pieces. The installation includes a scene of the Three Sisters Mountains, with boulders, water shapes, fish eggs, smolts and varying size of fish. The “River Celebration” art installation is permanently mounted along the Hwy 20 elementary school fence-line as a lasting tribute to Deschutes Watershed and its importance to our region. In April 2016, the Deschutes Land Trust announced that their first adult steelhead, identified as “Stella the Steelhead,” had returned to their homewaters of Whychus Creek. ![]() Along with creating an incredible community art project, school kids here raised and released steelhead fry into Whychus Creek. National Forest employees, tribal members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Sisters Community and the Sisters Elementary School that gave kids the opportunity to have a profound, hands-on impact in reviving Whychus Creek’s vitality. ![]() This was a collaborative effort between U.S. In fact, in 2016 a community event called “River Celebration” in Sisters raised awareness about the need to protect the Whychus Creek watershed. ![]()
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