FILE--A file image provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, from a wildfire on July 22, 2024, near Durkee, Ore. The fire burned in Baker and malheur counties in Eastern Oregon, and was the largest in Oregon's 2024 wildfire season.
Brett Brown / AP
The Bureau of Land Management has announced new fire restrictions on its public lands across Oregon and Washington.
The restrictions come as forecasters predict warmer, drier weather conditions across the Pacific Northwest. They include bans on the use of fireworks, exploding targets or metallic targets, ammunition with steel components, and sky lanterns on BLM public lands. Tracer rounds and incendiary devices are also prohibited.
Zach Ellinger, a fire management specialist at BLM, said on average, more than 80% of wildfires sparked across the U.S. each year are human-caused.
“As things get hotter and drier, we’re starting to see extended periods of fire season where there used to be a kind of a start and a stop,” Ellinger said. “It really is that fire knows no season anymore.”
He said fire restrictions and closures are among the most effective tools for reducing human-caused wildfires, especially during periods of high or extreme fire danger.
People who violate the bans can face up to $100,000 in fines and up to a year in jail. According to BLM, those found responsible for starting wildland fires on federal lands can also be billed for the cost of fire suppression.
For those planning to camp or recreate outdoors this summer, Ellinger recommends checking weather conditions beforehand and carrying extra supplies, like a bucket and shovel, should a small fire break out.
“If you’re participating in an activity and whatever it is that you’re doing accidentally sparks a wildfire, if you’re able to safely extinguish that wildfire with the tools that you have on hand, then that’s perfect,” he said.
This month, Oregon Parks and Recreation announced several campfire safety tips people can use when visiting state parks this summer.
Those include checking campfire restrictions before heading out, building campfires in existing fire rings and maintaining campfire flames at or below knee level.
Other ways to prevent human-caused wildfires include using caution when target shooting, not using power tools during hot, dry weather conditions and avoiding parking on dry grass.
