8/31/2017 Wildland Fire Minute

The Pacific Northwest is experiencing numerous large uncontained fires in Oregon and Washington. The region remains at the highest Preparedness Level (Five). Our fuels (burnable vegetation) are very dry and receptive to fire. As of today, over 736,863 acres have burned in Oregon and Washington. Total Acres 736,863 Oregon 496,208 Washington 240,655 Total Large Fires 102 Oregon 63 Washington 39 Largest Fire in OR: Chetco Bar (131,197) Largest Fire in Washington: Silver Dollar (30,984) Total Costs $283,280,897 Oregon $219,459,970 Washington $63,820,927 Total Firefighters and Support Personnel 9,578 Oregon 7,943 Washington 1,635 Most of Oregon is under fire restrictions so know before you go what fire restrictions are in place. Bring an alternative heat source, such as a propane camp stove as campfires are banned in most areas. Avoid parking or driving on dry grass. Properly dispose of all smoking materials. Keep a shovel and plenty of water in the event you accidentally start a fire. Call 911 if you see a fire. Nationally, 9 out of 10 wildland fires are cause by humans. We have plenty of lightning fires on the landscape right now, so take care to avoid all unwanted, human-caused fires. 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 Kristie Salzmann, U.S. Forest Service.