Labor Day reminder: Wildfire danger still high

While this week’s weather has moderated to cooler than normal temperatures and the feeling of fall is in the air, fire danger is still very real throughout Central Oregon, officials advise as the Labor Day weekend approaches.

The limited precipitation in the area did little to improve the fuel conditions that have been extreme throughout the summer. The approach of Labor Day and the last camping trips of summer has fire managers concerned the cool weather will give a false sense of security.

The Central Oregon District of the Oregon Department of Forestry remains in a regulated closure, which restricts activities with the potential to ignite fires.

Campfires continue to be prohibited on lands protected by ODF, including Oregon State Parks. This campfire ban includes warming fires and cooking fires. Hunters are encouraged to be prepared for theses cooler temperatures as they go to the field, so they will not be tempted to build a fire to stay warm.

Open burning such as burn barrels and debris burns within the Central Oregon District require a permit from ODF during fire season. Currently, no permits are being issued. Burning without a permit can result in citations or fines.

Additional restrictions are included in the regulated closure, which regulate activities such as chainsaw use, cutting of dried grass, and welding. The full closure can be found at this link: oregon.gov/odf/centraloregon/Documents/Fire%20Season/2015_RegulatedUse_Closure.pdf I

n addition to these restrictions exploding targets, tracer ammunition, and sky lanterns are all prohibited during fire season. Check with other agencies such as Bureau of Land Management, National Forests, county emergency management, or local fire districts to determine their current restrictions when engaging in activities in their jurisdiction.

Requirements for industrial operations, including fire watch and tools, also remain in effect. Fuel conditions are monitored by fire managers to evaluate fire growth potential and to determine restrictions needed to reduce the risk of ignition. Information regarding fire season rules and regulated closure restrictions can be found at the Central Oregon District webpage oregon.gov/ODF/centraloregon.

Please contact a local ODF Office if you have questions regarding the regulated use closure or other activities on lands protected by ODF. Human-caused fires are well above the 10-year average this year. Please use caution so your Labor Day activities do not add to this number.

The recent rainfall that fell across Oregon in variable amounts has fire officials concerned.

“Now is not the time for folks to let their guard down,” says Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Prevention Coordinator Tom Fields. “We’re still in the midst of three consecutive fire seasons that have wreaked havoc in all four corners of the state. And while the small amount of rain was a welcome relief, we are far from putting this fire season to bed.”

For the most part, the significant rainfall since August 24 landed along the Oregon coast and Willamette Valley. The north Cascades also received in excess of an inch of rain while the rest of the state remained fairly dry. Fuels receptive to sparks and embers remain abnormally dry and are still prone to ignite and carry fire with ease.

Add to the mix the region’s early fall east winds that blow over the Cascades like California’s Santa Anna winds, and the threat doubles. The Scoggins Creek, Yellow Point and Lost Hubcap fires from 2014 are prime examples of September fires that grew out of control, threatened communities, and cost millions of dollars to put out.

Broken down, the Scoggins Creek Fire burned 211 acres and cost $1.9 million; Yellow Point burned 789 acres and cost $5.6 million; and Lost Hubcap burned 2,712 acres and cost $3.1 million.

“The bottom line,” according to Fields, “is that we still need to exercise caution and follow fire restrictions in effect when working or recreating in wildland areas.”

Campfires remain prohibited on private and public lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry as well as all state parks. The exception is developed and approved campgrounds in some areas.

“Your best bet is to know before you go. Check with the local authority before heading out.” Fields says another tool is ODF’s fire restrictions interactive map on the web at http://www.oregon.gov/odf/pages/fire/precautionlevelMap.aspx .

While many corporate private lands remain closed due to the continued fire danger, hunting season is still open. Hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts must have landowner permission before entering and follow all public fire use restrictions, such as no smoking or off-road driving.

Outdoor debris burning also remains prohibited. Other fire-starting activities currently restricted include the use of power equipment such as chainsaws and lawn mowers cutting dry grass. Those activities can only be done early in the day, when fire danger is at its lowest.