High temperatures and threat of lightning forecasted
June 24, 2015
Contact: Tom Fields
Oregon Department of Forestry
(503) 945-7440 or (503) 983-8897
Fire managers throughout Oregon are feeling the heat.
Continued hot, dry weather is plaguing the region that could lead to a
significant fire from a single spark.
Continued hot, dry weather is plaguing the region that could lead to a
significant fire from a single spark.
“I’m sure everyone is aware of the heat wave that is
predicted over the next several days,” says Oregon Department of Forestry Fire
Prevention Coordinator Tom Fields. “While we’re all looking for ways to stay
cool, now is not the time to be careless with activities that could lead to a
wildfire.”
predicted over the next several days,” says Oregon Department of Forestry Fire
Prevention Coordinator Tom Fields. “While we’re all looking for ways to stay
cool, now is not the time to be careless with activities that could lead to a
wildfire.”
Fire season is now in effect throughout Oregon and much of
the state is experiencing fire danger conditions normally seen in late July and
August. ODF Meteorologists are predicting record warm weather across Oregon
later this week, with afternoon temperatures climbing into the 95-105 °F range
by Friday and continuing through the weekend. In addition, southerly flow
aloft will bring an increasing risk of dry thunderstorms, on both sides of the
Cascades, beginning in southern Oregon on Friday and spreading north across the
state this weekend. With forests already at mid-August dryness levels,
the impending hot spell and dry lightning poses a significant fire weather
threat. While wildland fire agencies gear up for natural-caused wildfires, the
last thing anyone wants is careless human-caused fires.
the state is experiencing fire danger conditions normally seen in late July and
August. ODF Meteorologists are predicting record warm weather across Oregon
later this week, with afternoon temperatures climbing into the 95-105 °F range
by Friday and continuing through the weekend. In addition, southerly flow
aloft will bring an increasing risk of dry thunderstorms, on both sides of the
Cascades, beginning in southern Oregon on Friday and spreading north across the
state this weekend. With forests already at mid-August dryness levels,
the impending hot spell and dry lightning poses a significant fire weather
threat. While wildland fire agencies gear up for natural-caused wildfires, the
last thing anyone wants is careless human-caused fires.
“The conditions are driving the story. So far, we’re seeing
above normal numbers of human-caused fires.” Fields says even activities not
normally linked to fire starts are causing concern. “We have had three fires
related to target shooting just in the last week. One of those fires burned 67
acres and cost over $80,000 to put out. These fires, and the fact that we have
already had 80-plus human-caused fires above the average for this time of year
is an indication that we need everyone to think twice before conducting any
spark emitting activity.”
above normal numbers of human-caused fires.” Fields says even activities not
normally linked to fire starts are causing concern. “We have had three fires
related to target shooting just in the last week. One of those fires burned 67
acres and cost over $80,000 to put out. These fires, and the fact that we have
already had 80-plus human-caused fires above the average for this time of year
is an indication that we need everyone to think twice before conducting any
spark emitting activity.”
So far in 2015 the Oregon Department of Forestry has
suppressed 301 fires in 2015, 227 of which were started by people. The two
leading causes are debris burning and campfires. Many parts of the state have
imposed public fire restrictions on outdoor debris burning, campfires, off road
driving, fireworks, the use of tracer ammunition and exploding targets to name
a few. Log on to www.oregon.gov/odf for
fire restrictions in your area or call your local Oregon Department of Forestry
office or fire department.
suppressed 301 fires in 2015, 227 of which were started by people. The two
leading causes are debris burning and campfires. Many parts of the state have
imposed public fire restrictions on outdoor debris burning, campfires, off road
driving, fireworks, the use of tracer ammunition and exploding targets to name
a few. Log on to www.oregon.gov/odf for
fire restrictions in your area or call your local Oregon Department of Forestry
office or fire department.
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