Fire Managers encourage caution with spring burning

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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