Scott Swanson
Things are drying out fast.
The public fire danger went to “high” on Monday and the industrial regulated use will be at Level 2 at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
“Fire risk is going to increase,” said Chad Calderwood, fire protection supervisor for Oregon Department of Forestry’s Sweet Home unit, on Monday evening. “We’re looking at conditions drying out even more.”
He said fire protection officials are concerned about the speed at which the fire season is progressing, and a call about a column of smoke in the area of High Deck Road and Highway 20 Monday afternoon, July 9, prompted a vigorous response from ODF and Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District firefighters. Though it only turned out to be an illegal burn barrel, Calderwood, who had just returned from two days at the Lobster Creek Fire in southwestern Oregon, said there isn’t a lot of margin for error.
Then, at 5:30 p.m. Monday, another illegal burn on Walkerwood Lane drew an aggressive response.
“We have to maintain fire safety,” Calderwood said, noting that the Lobster Creek blaze “went very fast.”
“We can’t afford to have a fire in our county. It is too destructive this time of year.”
At this stage, fire officials emphasize, all wildland fuels – including grasses, woody debris and vegetation – are susceptible to ignite and carry fire under current conditions.
The tightened restrictions ban the following activities:
– Smoking in the forest except in closed vehicles;
– All use of fireworks, sky lanterns, exploding targets and tracer ammunition;
– All open fires, including campfires outside of designated campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed;
– Use of any motorized vehicles except on improved roads. This includes motorcycles and ATVs;
– Use of chainsaws and other power equipment after 10 a.m., until 8 p.m. and mowing of tall dead or cured grass between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.
– Cutting, grinding and welding of metal unless done on a cleared area, with a charged garden hose or a 2½-pound ABC-rated fire extinguisher, and only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 a.m.
The regulated-use closure also requires forest users to carry a shovel with a 26-inch handle and an 8-inch blade and either 1 gallon of water or a 2½-pound ABC-rated fire extinguisher.
Fire officials also are warning that some of last summer’s fires in western Oregon have shown light smoke or small hotspots recently after a dry spring and low snowpack this winter.
Hotspots are not uncommon in heavy fuels like logs and organic duff that can hold heat over winter and flare back up after a period of warm, dry weather. Most of the isolated hotspots are well within the interior of the burned area and pose no threat of the fire escaping containment.
In June, a small hotspot flared up near Herman Creek on the Eagle Creek Fire. Hotspots are among the known post-fire hazards that have caused area and trail closures to remain in place. Other hazards include fire-weakened trees and loose boulders that can fall on trails at unpredictable times, as well as ongoing rockslides and landslides.
The seasonal outlook suggests a hot, dry summer with elevated fire danger in Oregon and Washington. People are reminded to be vigilant with campfires and observe any local prohibitions due to fire hazards. As a reminder, fireworks are always illegal on federal public lands. Always check that a campfire is stone-cold out before leaving: If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
Visitors are encouraged to contact local offices or recreation sites to “know before you go” if any fire restrictions or closures are in place.
“Conditions are to the point it’s definitely are moving more rapidly than we’re accustomed to,” Calderwood said. “It’s more risk to firefighters.”