Tom
Fields, Oregon Dept. of Forestry
Fields, Oregon Dept. of Forestry
Northwest
Interagency Coordination Center
While
firefighters continue to battle dozens of wildfires throughout the Northwest,
there’s one thing they don’t need: Help from careless people.
firefighters continue to battle dozens of wildfires throughout the Northwest,
there’s one thing they don’t need: Help from careless people.
Many
of the large, difficult-to-fight wildfires have been caused by lightning. One
cell, generally moving from northern California up through the Cascades across
Oregon and Washington, can leave multitudes of fire starts in its wake. But
most fires are still caused by people.
of the large, difficult-to-fight wildfires have been caused by lightning. One
cell, generally moving from northern California up through the Cascades across
Oregon and Washington, can leave multitudes of fire starts in its wake. But
most fires are still caused by people.
Lightning
accounts for 20-30 percent of all fires, while 70-80 percent of wildfires are
human-caused.
accounts for 20-30 percent of all fires, while 70-80 percent of wildfires are
human-caused.
Oregon
and Washington have already had 1,642 fires (835 human-caused) that have
collectively burned more than 485,000 acres. So how can the public lend a hand
in the fight? Simple, don’t be part of the problem.
and Washington have already had 1,642 fires (835 human-caused) that have
collectively burned more than 485,000 acres. So how can the public lend a hand
in the fight? Simple, don’t be part of the problem.
“We
always remind forest visitors and residents to do all they can to prevent
wildfires,” said Nancy Hirsch, chair of the Pacific Northwest Coordinating
Group and fire protection division chief with the Oregon Department of
Forestry. “But this is paramount—for everyone—right now. We’re working hard to
control many lightning-caused fires across the region, and more are expected.
Resources are stretched very thin, and we can ill afford to divert them to
fight human-caused fires that could have been prevented.”
always remind forest visitors and residents to do all they can to prevent
wildfires,” said Nancy Hirsch, chair of the Pacific Northwest Coordinating
Group and fire protection division chief with the Oregon Department of
Forestry. “But this is paramount—for everyone—right now. We’re working hard to
control many lightning-caused fires across the region, and more are expected.
Resources are stretched very thin, and we can ill afford to divert them to
fight human-caused fires that could have been prevented.”
Leading the way in human-caused fires is debris burning.
“Even
during the most severe fire danger, we continue to see illegal burning take
place in backyards,” says Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Prevention
Coordinator Tom Fields. “When these fires escape, they not only threaten and
burn homes and our natural resources; they also cost a lot of money to put
out.”
during the most severe fire danger, we continue to see illegal burning take
place in backyards,” says Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Prevention
Coordinator Tom Fields. “When these fires escape, they not only threaten and
burn homes and our natural resources; they also cost a lot of money to put
out.”
Anyone
responsible for starting a fire, accidental or not, is potentially liable for
those fire suppression costs, not to mention the civil liability for damages to
neighboring property owners. Combined, these costs could run into the millions.
If burning is prohibited where you live, and you witness someone burning, call
911 immediately.
responsible for starting a fire, accidental or not, is potentially liable for
those fire suppression costs, not to mention the civil liability for damages to
neighboring property owners. Combined, these costs could run into the millions.
If burning is prohibited where you live, and you witness someone burning, call
911 immediately.
“Some of the largest fires we have fought this summer have been human-caused,”
adds Hirsch. “This is disconcerting, and all the more reason to reiterate a
call for care and caution.”
Outdoor
debris burning is one of many fire related activities that is prohibited
throughout much of the region.
debris burning is one of many fire related activities that is prohibited
throughout much of the region.
There
have also been a number of abandoned campfires left to go out on their own, but
don’t. Campfires, warming fires, and cooking fires are not allowed throughout
much of the region as well, unless conducted in an approved location, such as a
designated campground. Campers and visitors should check on the restrictions in
place at individual parks.
have also been a number of abandoned campfires left to go out on their own, but
don’t. Campfires, warming fires, and cooking fires are not allowed throughout
much of the region as well, unless conducted in an approved location, such as a
designated campground. Campers and visitors should check on the restrictions in
place at individual parks.
Be
sure and check fire season regulations where you live or where you may be
going. There are several resources on the internet to gain additional
information and to learn more about fire prevention practices. Keep Oregon
Green, Oregon Department of Forestry, Washington Department of Natural Resources
and the offices of the state fire marshal for both Oregon and Washington are
great places to start.
sure and check fire season regulations where you live or where you may be
going. There are several resources on the internet to gain additional
information and to learn more about fire prevention practices. Keep Oregon
Green, Oregon Department of Forestry, Washington Department of Natural Resources
and the offices of the state fire marshal for both Oregon and Washington are
great places to start.