Tips to prevent wildfires this holiday weekend

With the July 4th holiday at hand, the Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group would like to remind outdoor recreationists in Oregon and Washington to use care to prevent wildfires.

The hot, dry weather has cured grasses and brush, making them susceptible to burn. Several lightning-ignited fires are already burning in the Northwest, including the Sutherland Canyon and Spartan fires east of Wenatchee, WA, that have burned more than 55,000 acres.

Leave all fireworks at home over the holidays and throughout the summer fire season. The use of fireworks, as well as sky lanterns and exploding targets, is prohibited on all federally managed lands.

“Fireworks compound the threat to already dry forests and grasslands,” states Keep Oregon Green President Kristin Babbs. “Enjoy fireworks where they belong: on the pavement- safely away from houses, vehicles, and flammable vegetation.” Fireworks can cause costly and dangerous wildfires, especially when conditions are hot and dry and vegetation is receptive to sparks.

Where fireworks are legal, fire officials encourage everyone to use the four B’s of fireworks safety:

Be Prepared before lighting fireworks: keep water available by using a garden hose or bucket. Be Safe when lighting fireworks: keep children and pets away from fireworks. Be Responsible after lighting fireworks: never relight a dud. Wait 15 to 20 minutes then soak it in a bucket of water before disposal. Be Aware: use only legal fireworks and use them only in legal places.

If your 4 th of July plans include camping, the PNWCG reminds you to check for any campfire restrictions in the area you will be visiting, campfires may be prohibited outside maintained campgrounds with fire pits. Build your campfire only where authorized and never leave your campfire unattended. When putting out your campfire be sure you drown the coals with water, stir with a shovel and drown again until it is cool to the touch.

“Wildland fire agencies work together year round to protect and maintain healthy and fire resilient landscapes, support fire adapted communities and coordinate safe and efficient wildfire response,” said PNWCG Vice-Chair Jason Loomis. “Please take extra caution while recreating this holiday weekend. Join us in helping prevent unwanted wildfire and protecting what we all value.”

In 2016, humans caused 83 percent of the wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, which means those fires could have been prevented. Firefighters and land managers need everyone’s help to prevent wildfires this holiday and through the summer.

Follow the Northwest Coordination Center (NWCC) on Twitter: @nwccinfo. Visit the NWCC website for a wealth of fire information: http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/ . For more information on Pacific Northwest Fire Adapted Communities, please visit: http://www.pnwfac.org/index.html or follow on Twitter @PNWFAC. Details for individual fires can be found on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ .

The Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group is established to provide a coordinated interagency approach to wildfire management in Oregon and Washington. PNWCG provides leadership in interface and wildland fire management for local, tribal, state and federal agencies and their constituents to enhance firefighter safety and protection of life, property, and natural resources.

PNWCG is comprised of USDA-Forest Service; USDI-Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service; Oregon Department of Forestry; Washington Department of Natural Resources; Washington Association of Fire Chiefs; The Oregon Fire Chiefs Association; The Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Washington State Fire Marshal.