LA GRANDE, Ore. – Firefighters throughout the state have been busy following numerous lightning events this month. But battling lightning-caused wildifires isn’t the only headache firefighters are having to contend with. Human-caused fires are also still popping up as people spend their remaining summer days enjoying the outdoors.
“It’s startling how many human-caused fires we’re seeing right now,” Steve Meyer, ODF Protection Supervisor in Baker said. “Firefighting resources are spread pretty thin at this point in the summer. Now is the time we are really asking for cooperation in following the Public Use Restrictions, also known as Regulated Use Closure.”
Fire crews in the Baker Sub-Unit in eastern Oregon responded to a fire on Sunday morning that was clearly left from a gathering the night before.
“There were numerous signs of a get-together left at the scene. As with all our suspicious, human-caused fires, we are investigating this. Ultimately, the responsible parties can be held liable for the cost of the suppression effort if they are caught.” Meyer stated.
As hunting season and Labor Day approach, it is especially important for people to pay attention to restrictions designed to reduce fire risks. The nights may feel cooler, but the fuel conditions indicate that we are still deep in fire season. Many of the measurements that fire managers use to assess the risk of fire are pointing at dry fuels due to drought-like conditions.
Travelers through forestlands should be prepared for emergencies by having the following firefighting equipment with them: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.
Restrictions may vary depending on the land manager or management agency. You can find out the fire danger level wherever you’re headed in Oregon and what restrictions to reduce fire risk are in place by going to ODF’s fire restrictions map at https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html