“We Are Ready”: Fire Agencies Give Overview of 2023 Wildfire Season
By Joe Hathaway on Thursday, June 22nd, 2023 in Featured Stories Northeastern Oregon News
NORTHEAST OREGON – Representatives from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) invited regional media to discuss what to expect and how the agencies are preparing for this year’s wildfire season, which officially began on June 22.
Both the ODF and USFS say they are confident that they are prepared to respond efficiently to wildfires in eastern Oregon this summer and beyond.
“We are fully staffed, and we are ready.” said Matt Howard, District Forester for ODF’s Northeast Oregon District.
Howard says they have numerous vehicles and aircraft ready to attack any fire in a moment’s notice, but did note that recruitment of wildland firefighters has been difficult. He says despite the lack of recruits, he says ODF should have a sufficient amount of firefighters and hotshot crews this year.
When asked about this year’s early official start to wildfire season, both ODF and USFS say it’s not a concern for either agency and that late June is typically an average beginning to wildfire season.
The agencies say they are urging the public to be mindful of public use restrictions and regulated use closures this summer, particularly when camping. Unattended campfires and open burning are a major cause of wildfires, according to the USFS.
You can find more information on this year’s wildfire season, including the latest conditions and restrictions, by visiting https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx and https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire
