By ANDREW WILKINS

Wildfires are burning throughout Oregon, destroying property, placing about half a million residents under an evacuation warning (not evacuated as we and many outlets first reported), and inflicting heavy smoke upon us all.

Around 40,000 Oregonians have had to evacuate, Gov. Kate Brown clarified after the Oregonian questioned that claim.

As of 1 p.m. Friday, Multnomah and Clackamas County officials say there’s no threat of evacuation to Multnomah County residents— but many in Clackamas County have evacuated, and the entire county is under a warning.

Evacuation updates can be found here.

This is a screenshot from early Friday afternoon, for up-to-date information, click on the evacuation updates link above.

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According to officials in Clackamas County, the best way to help is Red Cross and Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

Volunteer with OVOAD here. I signed up so we’ll see what they say…

They’re also recommending a Facebook group that is offering direct support (“clothes, shelter for animals, a place to camp”), but it doesn’t seem to be administered— so be aware of that.

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH

Unfortunately, due to the wildfires both the Lents International Market and Montavilla Farmers Market are closed today. They both made the announcement Friday.

Last week, we had beautiful weather at the Lents market for our video visit we’re calling “Lents International Market: Growing Community and Entrepreneurship”. It’s hosted by Michael B— a rad new contributor who’s talents include graphic design, radio, improv.

You can’t eat or drink it, but you can hopefully feel the community and entrepreneurial spirit we felt so strongly there. It will be up on our YouTube page tonight! Like, comment, share… and join us by hitting that subscribe button.

We hope our good time and all the wonderful entrepreneurial enterprises spotlighted brings you a bit of comfort in these rough times.

Take care, y’all.