9/19/2016 Wildland Fire Minute

Fire season is winding down in the Pacific Northwest, as well as across the nation. We haven’t had a record season here in Oregon and Washington, but elsewhere 2016 has had some notable fires.
In early May, the 1.5 million acre Horse River fire near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada that forced the evacuation of nearly 90,000 people and burned 2,400 structures. 

Here in the U.S., the Soberanes Fire near Big Sur, California is now the most expensive fire in U.S. History, costing more than $200 Mil. The cause? An illegal campfire.

While the fall weather pattern is cooler and wetter in the Pacific Northwest, it’s still important to practice fire safety when enjoying the great outdoors. One simple prevention tip is to always ensure your campfires are cool to the touch before leaving them. 

Thanks for watching the Wildland Fire Minute this summer. With the slowing of fire season, we’re also going to drop back to one WFM a month. Be sure to check in with us to see what’s happening in the world of wildland fire. 

To learn more about the latest wildland fire conditions in the Pacific Northwest head on over to: http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/

Video by Michael Campbell, BLM -- Graphics by Matt Christenson, BLM – Featuring Traci Weaver, BLM/U.S. Forest Service.