Fire Season Begins Monday in Three Willamette Valley Forest Districts

The declaration of fire season places restrictions on timber harvest activities in the forest. Loggers will be required to have firefighting equipment at their operation sites.

Photo Courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - West Oregon, South Cascade and Western Lane districts will enter fire season on Monday according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The three districts encompass forestlands in Linn, Lane, Benton, Polk and Yamhill counties.

Predicted hot, dry weather is expected to dry out the forest and elevate the risk of wildfire, according to Western Lane District Forester Rick Rogers.

"We're starting to have east winds today," Rogers said, "and coupled with the forecast of low humidities and high temperatures, we could soon see explosive fire conditions."

While no restrictions are being placed on recreational activity at this time, the public is asked to be mindful of fire safety in the forest. In particular, use of fireworks can result in large financial liability if a wildfire results.

• Start a fire with fireworks and you can be held responsible to reimburse the forest landowner for the value of the timber damaged or destroyed.
• If the fire occurs on private forestlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry, you can also be billed for the entire cost of putting out the fire.
• Parents are legally responsible for at least $5,000 of the costs to put out fires caused by their child's use of fireworks.