It was beginning to look like we wouldn't have much of a summer or fire season and the restrictions in the use of fire wouldn't be exercised this year. Then the summer sun and drying occurred and as a result fire season and the restrictions that go along with it were imposed. What does this mean? It means there are no recreational fires, chainsaw use during certain hours, smoking as a pedestrian, or any welding or cutting allowed, and motorized vehicles off road use, in almost all of our fire district. An exception is allowed for the Oregon State and Clackamas County parks within our district.
We have responded with fire crews to two separate conflagrations within the State and currently have a crew in Warm Springs on the High Cascade Complex fire. The Governor has the authority to declare a conflagration whenever a fire has exceeded all local jurisdictions and surrounding mutual aid districts capacity to control a fire.
We encourage all citizens to be alert and report any smoke or fires to 911. One of our greatest assets as a fire district is our citizens ability to give us an early warning through early detection of incipient fires, thus allowing us to extinguish fires while they are still small and manageable.
While man caused fires have a significant impact on the total number of hostile fires, nature also can play a big role in increased fires, as is the case this year across our state.
Be safe!
