The Oregon Department of Forestry declared fire season on Monday, July 11 for the Northwest Oregon Districts, following the Southwest Oregon district declaration on Wednesday, June 1. Northwest Oregon districts include Benton, Linn, Lincoln, Polk, Lane, the southern portion of Yamhill and the northern portion of Douglas County. In all counties, burning backyard debris is prohibited during fire season.
Compared with previous years, this is a slightly delayed start to the season for the state. The heavy rains in May and June of this year have helped in that. However, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) urges Oregonians to remain vigilant in preventing human-caused wildfire.
“Don’t be lulled into complacency because of the weather,” said Mike Shaw, Fire Protection Division Chief. “July and August historically have higher fire activity, and ODF is ready to respond, but we need the cooperation of Oregonians so we don’t strain our resources on fires that could have been avoided.”
A large concern for the agency are the ground fuels, like grass, that grew tall due to the spring rains but will dry out quickly, becoming a greater risk for human-caused fires. Those ground fuels will be able to catch fire easily and will then burn and spread quickly. Therefore, it is extremely important for Oregonians to continue to practice wildfire prevention this summer.
Wildfire prevention for Oregonians means:
- Make sure your campfire is cool to the touch before going to sleep or leaving your site. Don’t forget to Drown, Stir, Repeat.
- Go back and check on your debris burn site to make sure nothing reignites due to the heat.
- Don’t park your car over dried grass and make sure it is regularly maintained in order to reduce the risk of sparks.
- Don’t flick a cigarette onto the ground. It may be just enough to start a grass fire.
- Check local restrictions and fire danger levels.
Local burn ban information:
- Adair Village: facebook.com/AdairRuralFire
- Albany Fire: cityofalbany.net/fire/faqs/open-burning
- Alsea Rural Fire District: facebook.com/alseafire
- Corvallis: corvallisoregon.gov/fire
- Monroe: https://www.monroerfpd.org/burn-info
- Philomath: philomathfire.com/burn-information
- Western Oregon District fire restrictions
- West Oregon District Office (Benton, Polk, Lincoln & southern Yamhill Counties), 541-929-6300
- Western Lane District Office (includes northern Douglas County), 541-935-2222
- South Cascade District Office (eastern Lane & Linn Counties), 541-726-3588, ext. 1
Plan Ahead
- Take time to make a list of the things you would need or want to take with you if you had to leave your home quickly.
- Photo ID, proof of address and medical records are a few items that need to be protected before a wildfire hits. Learn how to safeguard important documents before a wildfire.
- Learn what to do before, during, and after a wildfire.
- Keep track of fires near your community.
- Wildfires in your area may cause power outages and contaminate your drinking water, even if the fire does not actually reach your home. Have emergency provisions in place before a wildfire strikes!
- Know and understand your evacuation levels.
- Level 1: means “BE READY” for potential evacuation
- Level 2: means “BE SET” to evacuate
- Level 3: means “GO” evacuate now
- Sign up to receive text or e-mail alerts about emergencies like wildfire from your local Office of Emergency Management at: Linn-Benton ALERT and Corvallis ALERT.
- Timely information on wildfires can save your life & property. Learn about alerts & warnings.
- The National Weather Service (@NWS) issues a Fire Weather Watch when potentially dangerous fire weather conditions are possible over the next 12 to 72 hours.
- Outdoor recreation information for camping and campfire safety, Oregon State Parks, state forests, Bureau of Land Management, and United States Forest Service camping.
- Keep Oregon Green reminds us to practice these safety tips to help prevent wildfires while we are out and about this fire season.
- Homeowners
- The National Fire Protection Association (@NFPA) says to create defensible space around your property by removing dead vegetation, keeping grass and brush mowed short, and landscape plants green and well-watered. It can make the difference between losing and saving a structure in the event of a wildfire.
- Use fire-resistant materials for construction, renovation, & landscaping to protect your property from a wildfire.
- Don’t use anything (i.e. lawnmowers, hedgers, weed eaters) that may create sparks outside on dry, windy days.
- Remember the Five P's of Evacuation: People, Prescriptions, Papers, Personal Needs, and Priceless Items.
- When an evacuation notice is issued for a wildfire, take prompt action to maximize survival chances.
- Adults and children with conditions such as asthma might need to evacuate long before the fire reaches your community as smoke can extend far beyond the boundaries of a wildfire.
- Roll up car windows and close air vents because smoke from a fire can irritate your eyes and respiratory system.
- Be prepared to evacuate if a wildfire occurs by knowing your family’s evacuation plan. Tip: plan several escape routes away from your home by car and on foot.
- Late decisions to evacuate can lead to wildfire fatalities. Pack emergency supplies so you’re ready to GO!
- Know and practice your evacuation plan before a wildfire.
- Your family may not be together when a wildfire occurs. Make plans today for how to stay in touch.
- Set up group text lists so you can communicate with several people at the same time during emergencies.
- Talk to your neighbors about wildfire safety. Plan how the neighborhood could work together before and after a wildfire.
- Talk with your kids about making an emergency plan.
- Cellular networks may be congested after a wildfire, but text messages may get through. Teach loved ones how to text.
- If your home was damaged by a wildfire, don’t re-enter until it is inspected by qualified professionals.
- If you evacuated the area due to a wildfire, wait for public officials to say it’s safe before returning.
- After a wildfire, the ground may contain heat pockets from burning roots that can injure you or spark another fire.
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