Three areas in southern and central Oregon have officially started their fire season. Local fire protection leaders in the Walker Range Fire Patrol Association and ODF’s Southwest Oregon and Klamath-Lake districts declared fire season respectively on June 2, June 4 and June 5. Warm, dry conditions at the end of May and beginning of June prompted the declarations.
Fire danger in the Klamath-Lake District in south-central Oregon is already considered moderate. Unlike the rest of Oregon, fire starts and acres burned in Klamath and Lake counties are above the 10-year average for this time of year.
In ODF’s Southwest Oregon District, the fire danger level since Sunday, June 4 has been “low” (green), and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) is at level 1 – the lowest level. Lands covered by the declaration include state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties. Fire season means an increased risk of fire starting and spreading. During fire season, fire officials place restrictions on the riskiest activities. For example, Walker Range officials remind the public that outdoor burning is prohibited during fire season. Check with your local ODF office for specific restrictions in your area or for more information log onto http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx