Sources: Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center (COIDC) and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).
Wildland firefighters in central Oregon were kept busy by a thunderstorm which placed an estimated 2,000 lightning strikes Monday across the region. Out of this storm Monday, approximately 40 new wildfires were reported to COIDC. Fire crews quickly responded to these new starts and most remained very small. The largest grew to an acre south of China Hat Road near Bessie Butte before being contained.
The National Weather Service has extended a Red Flag Warning for high fire potential due to lightning storms and dry fuels until 11:00 PDT Wednesday evening. Fire crews will be strategically placed around central Oregon to respond quickly to any new fire activity from Monday’s storms, as well as any new starts from the storms expected over the next two days.
Although most of the recent fires across the state have been caused by lightning, several fires responded to by COIDC-dispatched teams have been human-caused. Fire officials want to take the opportunity to remind visitors and residents of central Oregon to be careful with fire. Even with the scattered rain from the recent storms, vegetation remains dry. Make sure to extinguish cigarettes inside vehicles and be sure your campfire is “dead out” before you leave your site.
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry