No Service: Areas in Holiday Farm Fire lack phone, 911 access

No Service: Areas in Holiday Farm Fire lack phone, 911 access

Also underway in many areas.

As the focus shifts to recovery --- oregon's congressional leaders are narrowing in on a large problem facing communities destroyed by this fire -- and that's*communication.

Senators ron wyden and jeff merkley were in eugene today to speak with residents who have been impacted by the holiday farm fire.

As kezi 9 news reporter jacob roberts shows us, one of residents main concerns is being able to reach the*outside world.

It's a place you normally go when you want to*disconnect.

The quiet waters of the mckenzie provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Here, poor cell phone service is seen as a blessing.

But now a lack of communication is proving not just inconvenient but potentially dangerous in areas ravaged by fire.

Wyden says, "communications was something that just kept coming back again again and again" so much so, it's caught the attention of both oregon senators& who say fixing the dead zone is now their number one priority.

Wyden says, "folks were basically wiped out.

You know, the towers were wiped out and basically they're using portable systems and the like" jacob roberts says, "communication here along the mckenzie has always been difficult, but with a fire knocking out infrastructure it means residents returning to their homes are often left with no service and no 911.

County leaders said they're working with companies like verizon, at&t and t-mobile to bring in temporary equipment to fill the dead zone" and it's not just cell phones.

Cable, internet and land lines are all dead in the areas hit the hardest.

Companies like charter and centurylink are now beginning damage assesssments and planning to rebuild.

Centurylink says, "unfortunately the blue river central office that provides all the service has been destroyed.

We're committed to bringing the service back to you as soon as we can" the county says first responder networks allowing firefighters, police and others to communicate are largely still operational.

Near vida, jacob roberts,