9/17/2017 Wildland Fire Minute

Even though it is mid-September, we still have 26 large uncontained fires here in the Pacific Northwest. In northern Washington, the Diamond Creek Fire has spread into Canada and is over 110,000 acres in size while the Chetco Bar Fire in southwestern Oregon has grown to over 185,000 acres. In the Columbia River Gorge, the almost 38,000-acre Eagle Creek Fire continues to burn. Lately, one common question we have been hearing is what happens after these fires are contained, controlled, and out? When will our favorite hiking trails be open? Local units face a variety of challenges associated with rehabilitation in fire areas. From covering and removing hand line on the landscape to rebuilding trails with water bars, the work ahead will be extensive in some areas. Since we are in the Pacific Northwest, we know that rain will eventually come. With this increase in moisture, comes additional hazards of falling rocks and trees as well as possible mudslides in some fire areas. Because of this it is very likely that some areas may not reopen until next spring. Public safety is a top priority, and we know that you love your public lands but we ask that you continue to abide by closure orders related to our 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. Additional video provided by Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/