FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Distribution:
Major Media
Major Media
August
21, 2015
Contact: Shirl Fredenburg,
(541) 336-2273
21, 2015
Contact: Shirl Fredenburg,
(541) 336-2273
Northwest
Oregon is currently experiencing fire danger not seen in recent memory and
weather forecasts don’t provide any relief. Forest fuels are at record dry
levels and forecasts for this weekend indicate it will continue to be hot and
dry. Everyone should be concerned.
Oregon is currently experiencing fire danger not seen in recent memory and
weather forecasts don’t provide any relief. Forest fuels are at record dry
levels and forecasts for this weekend indicate it will continue to be hot and
dry. Everyone should be concerned.
The
Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) West Oregon District is currently engaged
in fighting the Willamina Creek Fire approximately 9 miles north of the
community of Willamina. Four cabins were evacuated as a result of the fire and
forest resources have been lost. Estimated to be about 140 acres, this fire is
under investigation, but it is believed to have been human-caused, possibly by
recreational activities. In addition to the Willamina Creek Fire, the
District’s firefighters continue their daily work of responding to reports of
smoke and fire throughout the District. All of these fire activities stretch
available resources very thin.
Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) West Oregon District is currently engaged
in fighting the Willamina Creek Fire approximately 9 miles north of the
community of Willamina. Four cabins were evacuated as a result of the fire and
forest resources have been lost. Estimated to be about 140 acres, this fire is
under investigation, but it is believed to have been human-caused, possibly by
recreational activities. In addition to the Willamina Creek Fire, the
District’s firefighters continue their daily work of responding to reports of
smoke and fire throughout the District. All of these fire activities stretch
available resources very thin.
This
fire season gives managers pause and calls attention to the need for everyone
to exercise extreme caution in the forest and elsewhere. Land managers have
tightened fire restrictions over the last week over much of the state.
fire season gives managers pause and calls attention to the need for everyone
to exercise extreme caution in the forest and elsewhere. Land managers have
tightened fire restrictions over the last week over much of the state.
On
lands protected by ODF in the West Oregon District, public use restrictions,
which limit campfires, chainsaw use, and mowing of dry grass and require forest
travelers to carry fire tools, have been in place since mid-June, weeks earlier
than in recent years.
lands protected by ODF in the West Oregon District, public use restrictions,
which limit campfires, chainsaw use, and mowing of dry grass and require forest
travelers to carry fire tools, have been in place since mid-June, weeks earlier
than in recent years.
Before
you head out to the forest, parks or beaches for your weekend plans, take a
moment to learn the fire restrictions for that area. You can find out more
about fire rules by contacting the local ODF office.
you head out to the forest, parks or beaches for your weekend plans, take a
moment to learn the fire restrictions for that area. You can find out more
about fire rules by contacting the local ODF office.
In Benton County contact the
ODF – Philomath office (541) 929-3266
ODF – Philomath office (541) 929-3266
In Lincoln County contact the
ODF – Toledo office (541) 336-2273
In Polk and southwest Yamhill
County contact the ODF – Dallas Office (503) 934-8146
Or by
using ODF’s interactive map of forest restriction here: http://www.oregon.gov/odf/pages/fire/precautionlevelmap.aspx
using ODF’s interactive map of forest restriction here: http://www.oregon.gov/odf/pages/fire/precautionlevelmap.aspx
Every
person has a role in preventing wildfires.
person has a role in preventing wildfires.
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