Fire danger raised to high for C.O. state-protected lands

(Update: Adding ODF fire danger raised in Sisters area)

Hot and dry temperatures have prompted fire officials for the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland along with the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Manager to raise the fire danger to high officials said late Friday. Meanwhile, forecasters issued a “fire weather watch” warning of thunderstorms on Monday.

With some of the hottest temperatures of the year forecast this weekend, officials reminded the public that conditions across Central Oregon have dried light fuels like grass and are quickly drying brush, making them easy to ignite.

The Oregon Department of Forestry, meanwhile, has raised the fire level to high on the Sisters sub-district, effective Saturday, due to its lower elevation, but other areas are expected to be raised soon as well, said ODF Central Oregon District spokeswoman Christie Shaw.

The fire danger was raised Monday to the high level for all of the ODF’s Prineville-Sisters unit, with more lightning and significant wind expected, said agency Central Oregon spokeswoman Christie Shaw. That includes all state-protected land in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties, and a portion of Lake County.

The National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch for Monday morning through evening, warning that thunderstorms may cause new fire starts in Central Oregon. They said scattered thunderstorms with frequent lightning are expected, especially in the BLM Prineville District and Crooked River National Grasslands.

Fire officials encourage the public to be diligent about ensuring all cigarette butts are properly extinguished in an ashtray or dish of water and spark arrestors are in place on all motorized equipment. Additionally, all motorized recreationists should park in areas cleared of vegetation – the undercarriage of a vehicle can be hot enough to start a fire.

While fire restrictions are not yet in place on most public lands in Central Oregon, make sure that campfires are built in areas void of light fuels such as grass and that you have an adequate amount of water to ensure that it is ‘dead out’ when you leave the area or go to bed at night.

Be sure to ‘Know Before You Go’ if you can have a campfire as seasonal campfire restrictions are already in place on portions of the Deschutes, John Day and Crooked rivers, as well as on BLM-administered lands along Lake Billy Chinook.

For up-to-the-minute wildfire information, follow Central Oregon fire managers on Twitter @CentralORFire.