Forest Service across NW prepares for ‘dramatic increase in wildfire conditions’ over very hot 4th of July weekend

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Temperatures spiking into the 100s? Check. Rapidly drying grasslands and forests? Check. Possible humidity of less than 20 percent? Check. Ticking all these boxes means fire managers across the Pacific Northwest are anticipating a significant shift in wildfire conditions over the July 4th weekend.

“We’re preparing for a dramatic increase in wildfire conditions through the weekend,” said Ian Rickert, Pacific Northwest Fire Planner for the Forest Service. “Predicted extreme temperatures and low humidity will result in critically dry forests and rangelands on both sides of the Cascades.” 

Together with other federal, tribal, state, and local governments, the Forest Service has 30 aviation resources as well as a dozen Hotshot and other ground crews positioned throughout Oregon and Washington to quickly respond to any new wildfire starts. 

“We’re activating early with extended shifts for many local Forest Service firefighters, additional firefighters from other areas of the nation, and ready air resources,” said Ed Hiatt, Pacific Northwest Assistant Fire Director for the Forest Service. “Please do your part by creating defensible space around your home, having a wildfire emergency plan for your family, and being careful with anything that could spark a wildfire.”

Fire managers also anticipate Red Flag Warnings for extremely hot and dry conditions spanning Saturday and Sunday for Southern Oregon including communities such as Gold Beach, Medford, Oakridge, Klamath Falls and southern Bend. Know before you go and check current campfire restrictions that are now in effect for many area national forests and grasslands including the Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Umpqua National Forest, Deschutes National Forest and more. Fireworks and exploding targets are always prohibited on public lands.  

For more news & information about National Forests in the Pacific Northwest, visit our news page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/r6/news-events or our home page, at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r6. For more information about the USDA Forest Service visit https://www.fs.usda.gov.