Oregon wildfires down in 2016
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon experienced one of the least damaging forest fire seasons of the past decade, despite dry and warm conditions.
The Statesman Journal reports ( http://stjr.nl/2dBkvmL ) wildfires torched 186,317 acres in Oregon this year, the lowest total since 2010 and well below the 10-year average, according to data from the National Interagency Fire Center.
Forest fires are down nationwide as well, with 4.9 million acres burned, compared to last year’s record-setting 10 million acres blackened.
People caused 910 fires and burned 126,409 acres this season, down from 1,397 fires and 139,483 acres burned in 2015.
Officials said a major reason for the overall improvement was the lack of dry lightning strikes this summer.
