September 10, 2022

CLACKAMAS RIVER

Note to Down the River Cleanup Volunteers and Supporters:

As many of you know, Milo McIver Park caught fire shortly after we sent the second Volunteer Update email last night (Friday, September 9). We have tracked the situation closely and decided to cancel the 2022 Down the River Cleanup.

The most obvious reasons are an abundance of caution and deference to the communities along the river, but some other factors include concern with air quality for participants (the air quality index is climbing now) and not stressing the emergency response system (with a possible evacuation from the river if things degrade further). We just couldn’t imagine any other option than canceling the Sunday event.

Now we can turn our thoughts and prayers to all of you living in or near the threatened areas, and hope this fire gets contained and no other outbreaks occur.

We will be in touch later this week about options for still getting the river cleaned up before the fall rains (and obviously not when the river valley is in emergency).

Thanks again for your active service to the river and the larger community.