Fire on the Edge

Recent fires have occurred near roadways and the Bear Creek Greenway bike path. It indicates native grasses and weeds have dried to the point they ignite easily. A cigarette or match discarded by a walker or bicyclist, the exhaust pipe of a car idling in dry grass along the roadside, someone playing with fireworks -- these things are known to cause wildfires in the Rogue Valley. Use care with anything that may spark a wildfire in the days and weeks ahead. A heat wave is approaching and fire danger will rapidly go up.

Links for Wildfire-Related Information

Big wildfires are burning in several Western states (although the Pacific Northwest has, so far, remained relatively fire-free) and just about everyone knows someone who's been affected by them. To stay abreast of what's going on, tune in to the following websites for current information:

• InciWeb, the site where status reports are posted from fire camps
• Wildland Fires Info, a new site sporting connections to other fire information tools
• Wildfire Today, a blog that tracks fire news and posts links to media stories and agency reports

Southwest Oregon also has several veins of online information for fire information and fire prevention tips:

• The Rogue Valley Fire Prevention Cooperative has a Facebook page with links to current news stories and fire prevention tips, and a website stocked with prevention advice tailored for Rogue Valley residents and visitors.
• The co-op also has a page of links to fire departments in Jackson and Josephine counties.
• The Oregon Department of Forestry has a website displaying current fire season regulations, and a Twitter page for local fire activity.

Stay tuned, stay safe, stay informed.

ODF Crews Respond to Four Fires on July 4

ODF Southwest Oregon District engine crews responded to four wildfires on July 4. The largest was a 1.3-acre fire on Upper River Road, two miles northwest of Grants Pass. The likely cause of the fire was target shooting.

Other activity included a quarter-acre fire in the May Creek area, approximately three miles east of Wimer; a tenth-acre fire near Butler Creek, one mile north of Ashland; and a hundreth-acre fire near Emigrant Lake, east of Ashland. The cause of these three fires is under investigation.

Hotter, drier weather in the days ahead will keep lookouts glued to their binoculars.

Have a Safe and Fun Fourth of July!

The following advice is provided by the Rogue Valley Fire Prevention Cooperative.

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professional firework display. However, if you choose to have your own display there are some steps to take to ensure your event is fun filled and not catastrophic.

• In Oregon, fireworks are prohibited on all federal- and state-owned forestland, as well as state and county parks and campgrounds.
• Make sure the fireworks you intend to use are legal. Any firework that travels more than 6 feet on the ground or 12 inches into the air is illegal for use in Oregon.
• Fireworks are for outdoor use only!
• Make sure fireworks are lit in an area free of dry vegetation and other combustible materials.
• Always have a bucket of water, fire extinguisher or a hose immediately available when using fireworks.
• Responsible adults should be the only ones lighting fireworks.
• Supervise children at all times.
• Don’t allow children to pick up pieces of used fireworks. Some may still be hot enough to burn skin and clothing.
• It is recommended that children under 12 don’t use sparklers unless closely supervised by an adult.
• Spectators need to keep a safe distance away from active fireworks.
• Soak all used fireworks, even duds, in a bucket of water before disposing of them in the garbage.
• Always follow the directions on fireworks before igniting them.
• Be cautious of lighting any fireworks during windy conditions.
• Last but not least, if fireworks cause a fire, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Colorado fires a reminder to Oregonians

The catastrophic wildfires in Colorado and other states serve as a reminder to Oregonians of their individual responsibility to practice wildfire prevention in the weeks ahead. While the current spring-like weather may seem little cause for concern, it can actually lead to human-caused fires.

“When it’s pleasant outside, rather than hot and dry, we’re more likely to head out to the forest,” said Tom Fields, fire prevention coordinator with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). “But people may assume that fires can’t occur under these conditions, and that’s where the danger lies.”

As green as the forests and fields appear across much of the state, during the past week 10 fires have occurred on the lands protected by the department. And warmer, drier days are predicted, setting the stage for new fire starts to spread more rapidly.

Before traveling to the forest to recreate, check to see if there are any fire restrictions in effect. For the 16 million acres of forest under ODF’s jurisdiction, go to the web page which lists fire restrictions district by Oregon Dept. of Forestry districst across the state.

Fire safety tips for camping and recreating in the forest are available on the Keep Oregon Green Association website, KeepOregonGreen.org, and from other wildfire prevention agencies and organizations, as well as local fire departments.

Regional Forest Practices Committees Meet July 17 in Springfield

The NW Oregon and SW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committees (RFPC) have announced a joint meeting of the two groups for July 17 in Springfield.

Regional Forest Practices Committees are panels of citizens – mandated under Oregon law - that advise the Oregon Board of Forestry on current forestry issues and forest management approaches. Three Regional Forest Practices Committees, serving the Northwest, Southwest and Eastern regions of the state, were created within the Oregon Forest Practices Act in 1971. Under Oregon law, a majority of Regional Forest Practices Committees members are private forest landowners and logging or forest operations companies.

The joint meeting of the Northwest/Southwest Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committees is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17 at the USFS Willamette National Forest offices, 3106 Pierce Parkway -- Room 145 in Springfield.

The meeting is tentatively scheduled to run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm with a public comment period scheduled near the start of the meeting.

The agenda for the meeting is scheduled to include:

• Reports on the Restoration Plan for the Private Forests Program, including updates on two components mandated by the Oregon Legislature -- establishment of a compliance audit program regarding Forest Practices Act standards, and establishing a program to review the effectiveness and efficiency of the Forest Practices Act. The program’s Fiscal Year 2013 budget will be discussed.
• Reports on the Board of Forestry’s direction to begin an evaluation of riparian protection standards for small and medium fish-bearing streams, including presentation of concepts the Board will review at its July 26 Board meeting.
• A report on the ODF project to implement 2011 House Bill 2165, which includes changes to written plan requirements, including discussion of the rulemaking process, public and industry input and development of rule concepts.
• A demonstration of the Vantage web-based mapping system for forestry data developed to assist ODF.

Members of the public may attend the meeting. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7502.