Oregon Hunters Take Note: Wildfire Threat Remains High Throughout The State

Oregon hunters have a solid track record when it comes to fire safety in the woods. Over the past 10 years, hunter-caused fires accounted for only one percent of the total acres burned on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Photo courtesy: bar-nunn.com

(SALEM) - As hunters head out in coming days, they should keep fire precaution in mind.

Even as fall and rain approaches, officials warn, forests in many parts of the state remain very dry, and the danger of starting a wildfire persists.

Just as the seasonal transition occurs almost imperceptibly, so do wildfire season and hunting season often overlap. On an early morning in September, fire seems an unlikely visitor to the forest. But the cool temperatures and dew-laden grass deceive: A warming fire left smoldering on the hillside at dawn by a hunter watching for deer can flare up later when the afternoon sun dries out the grass.

Warming fires account for 43 percent of hunter-related wildfires on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. Unlike a campfire, a warming fire is temporary, providing relief from the chill as a hunter glasses the slopes for animal movement prior to actively pursuing game.

Smoking, the focus of fire prevention campaigns for decades, remains a major cause of fires in Oregon's forests. Twenty-nine percent of fires related to hunting activity result from smoking. Twelve percent of wildfires caused by hunters come from campfires that have been built improperly or not fully extinguished.

Off-road vehicles pose a threat as well. Brief contact with shrubs or grass by a hot exhaust system is all it takes to start a wildfire.

Warming Fires and Campfires:

Before heading afield, check local fire restrictions to find out if open fires are allowed.

If so, clear vegetation from the fire site and make sure there are no overhanging tree limbs. Keep the fire small and monitor it at all times. At departure, drown the fire with water and stir the ashes, then repeat until it is completely out.

Smoking:

Check local rules to see if smoking is restricted. In some cases, it may be allowed only in closed vehicles and buildings. Whatever the situation, take extreme care with cigarettes and other smoking materials. It is illegal in Oregon to discard any lighted material, including cigarettes and matches.

Motorized Off-Road Travel:

Before a hunting trip, inspect the exhaust systems of ATVs and full-sized vehicles to ensure they are undamaged and functioning properly. Check the current rules to see if off-road driving or riding is allowed.

If not, stay on established roadways, and avoid parking on the roadside, where grass may ignite from the exhaust. Always carry a fire extinguisher or water, and a shovel.

Information about local conditions and restrictions is available from department field offices. For a list, visit http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/offices.shtml.

Hunters are urged to continue their long-standing tradition of fire-awareness.

As stewards of the land, they have a unique interest in protecting the forest habitat that wildlife needs.