August expected to bring drier conditions, increase fire risk; here’s how C.O. fire officials have prepared

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Wildfire season has clearly arrived in Central Oregon, with plenty of hot, dry and windy weather behind us -- and ahead of us.

Rising temperatures, continued drought conditions and periodic chances of thunderstorms have started off the summer in typical fashion.

Fire officials have prepared for a big season with all these factors in mind. Those prescribed burns in the springtime were conducted to reduce the amount of dry grass and brush that can spark wildfires.

"Over 4,000 acres of prescribed burning across the Deschutes National Forest" was done, Public Affairs Specialist Jaimie Olle said Monday. "Much of that was done right in the backyards of our communities, to help protect them in wildfire season."

Increased snowpack this year made fire officials hopeful this season might not be as bas as others of late. But summer heat and dry conditions are showing a similar trend to last year.

"As we move into August, in that time period, we'll start to see the higher elevations dry out as well," Olle said. "We have had a significant snowpack this past winter, but we are starting to see dry conditions across the board."

The peak summer means Central Oregonians are camping. You can enjoy doing that while also practicing fire safety. Olle had some familiar advice, always worth repeating.

"If you're in an area where a campfire is still allowed, please make sure that that campfire is dead out before you leave," she said. "That means both stirring dirt and water together and making sure that you can stick your hand in the pit and that it's cool to the touch."

The state of Oregon provides an interactive live dashboard of all the fires currently burning in the state, a feature of NewsChannel 21's Fire Alert page. As of Monday afternoon, there were 12 active fires and over 2,000 acres burning.