Dry conditions mean serious fire danger

Since June, there have been 100 human-caused wildfires on national forests and grasslands in Oregon and Washington. While firefighters have been largely successful in putting out these preventable fires, the extremely hot and dry conditions are significantly ramping up fire danger across the region.

“We’re entering a very dangerous time period in the Pacific Northwest wildfire season,” said Ed Hiatt, Pacific Northwest Assistant Fire Director for Operations. “Mother Nature turned on the oven for a week in local forests, and now we’re preparing for the potential of dry lightning and gusty winds across much of eastern Oregon.”

Local responders are closely tracking these deteriorating conditions where any new wildfire will have the potential to spread rapidly and burn intensely right from the start. As firefighters are responding to lightning-sparked fires, a preventable, human-caused wildfire can limit availability of needed engines, dozers, helicopters, and other resources.

“It’s as dry as I’ve ever seen it,” said Hiatt. “From the Canadian border to southeast Oregon, multiple areas have broken daily records for forecasted fire intensity. Bottom line? If it starts, it’s going to burn hot and it’s going to burn fast.”