By rssfeeds-admin State data shows that Oregon has already seen more fires than average, but less destruction. ODF says that is largely due to the fast action from ground crews as well as rainier storms that help extinguish flames caused by lightning.
But local firefighters say we are just halfway through this wildfire season.
“Fire season, much like the Christmas season in our stores, is extending out,” Rick Graves with Portland Fire and Rescue said.
Currently, the Emigrant Fire burning in Lane County exploded to more than 23,000 acres. The region and the Cascades are still under red flag warnings.
Near Sisters, evacuees are returning home over the weekend as the Flat Fire reached more than 65% containment.
And while most wildfires have sparked in eastern and southern Oregon, local crews say they are monitoring higher and drier than normal conditions — ready to respond if needed.
Just this week, PF&R knocked out a fast-moving 2.5-acre fire along the Springwater Trail.
“It has not been a tremendously active season as of yet, but… things happen,” Graves said. “And like I said, right next door, we’re getting fires, and we could be shuttling people as I, as you and I communicate right now.”
Data from ODF shows that so far this year, the state saw an increase in the number of human, and lightning-caused fires compared to the 10-year average, but those fires burned far fewer acres. They also reported that 95% of the 875 fires started this year were kept under 10,000 acres.
“We’re still going to be in the thick of things, I’m sure, with some of the forecasts I’m seeing over the next couple weeks,” Michael Curran with ODF said.
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