La Grande, OR-
After a late winter weather pattern, spring conditions have finally set in for
the northeast Oregon area. Smoke from
debris piles and cleanup activities is being seen more frequently around the
area. Fire managers are encouraging those
folks who have conducted or are planning spring burning activities to use
extreme caution going forward.
“It’s easy to
be complacent with the amount of moisture we’ve experienced in the past few
weeks. Now that we’ve shifted to a more
‘normal’ weather pattern, folks are getting out and we’re seeing more smoke
around the area. Our concern has really moved
to what these later spring fires can do if they rekindle later in the year.” said
Mitch Williams, Wildland Fire Supervisor in La Grande.
Late spring
fires have been known to hold heat deep in the soil and duff layers. When hot, dry and windy weather conditions
settle over the area, these sources of heat can cause rekindled burns during
the height of fire season.
“If you’ve
conducted pile burning this spring, it’s important to make sure you monitor the
area to ensure there are no sources of heat holding over. Checking the area regularly for visible smoke
and carefully checking for hotspots in the area of the burn are important
safety measures. As summer progresses, it’s important to go back and continue
to make these checks.” Instructed
Williams.
Debris burning
is the number one human-cause of wildfire.
Many of these troublesome fires take place before and after the official
fire season when landowners are not paying particularly close attention to daily burning
conditions. ODF officials encourage
landowners to heed caution even when conditions seem to be conducive to
burning, and refer to the following checklist before burning:
·
Call your local fire
department to see if a burning permit is required. Burning regulations are not the same in all
areas.
·
Prepare by having a shovel and
charged garden hose or other water source at the burn site.
·
Find a clear site away from
buildings and trees with overhanging branches.
·
Clear a circle, at least 10 feet in diameter down to mineral soil, around the pile or incinerator.
·
Divide large piles into smaller piles. Smaller piles burn quickly and efficiently
and are easier to control.
·
Avoid burning during windy
conditions. Embers can travel and ignite spot fires nearby.
·
Stay with the fire, wetting
down the edges to prevent escape, until it is completely out.
·
Remember, unattended piles can
quickly spread out of control. If your
debris burn escapes control, call 911 immediately.
May is Wildfire
Awareness Month in Oregon. Landowners
are reminded that this is a great time of year to make your property
wildfire-safe. Be sure and remove all
dead leaves and needles from your roof and gutters. Create a defensible space of 30 to 100 feet
around your home by clearing brush and moving wood piles. Keep your lawn well irrigated and make sure
your driveway is clearly marked and accessible for emergency vehicles and
equipment. For more information, contact your nearest ODF office.
http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/
is
your spot for current fire information in the Blue Mountains.
To
report a fire, call Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch at (541)963-7171 or dial
9-1-1.
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