From Mike Cafferata, Forest Grove District Forester, Oregon Department of Forestry (6/29/22):
We are getting close to fire season 2022. While the wet spring has been great, things are starting to dry out. Last weekend’s hot weather made a difference on the fuels, however upcoming cool and damp weather will restore some of the lost moisture.
Going into fire season is challenging. We balance reducing the risk of human-caused wildfires with the costs and difficulties of being in fire season. Ultimately, we are trying to make restrictions match the fire danger, and not be over- or under restrictive. The Northwest Oregon Forest Protective Association stretches from the north end of Yamhill County to Astoria, and from Forest Grove to the coast, and so conditions vary considerably over this administrative area that we work under.
The extended local forecast is for mild and damp weather – weather that should make any fire starts manageable. Our fire crews are hired and completing initial training. Yesterday they completed a training for Fire Boss air tankers near Hagg Lake.
Here’s a clip from KOIN-TV:
Considering everything, we will not go into fire season prior to July 4th. We will continue to monitor the weather and suggest operators get your equipment ready if you have not done so already. I expect we will go into fire season sometime next week depending on the weather
Forecast days 3 through 7……
.THURSDAY EVENING…Mostly clear. Northwest winds 5-7 mph.
.FRIDAY…Partly cloudy. Lows 50-55. Highs 65-75. Northwest winds 2-5 mph. Minimum humidity 50-65%.
.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy. Lows 50-55. Highs 65-75. Northwest winds 2-5 mph. Minimum humidity 50-65%.
.SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers. Lows 50-55. Highs 60-70. Terrain driven winds less than 5 mph. Minimum humidity 55-70%.
.INDEPENDENCE DAY…Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Lows 50-55. Highs 65-70. Terrain driven winds less than 5 mph. Minimum humidity 55-65%.
.TUESDAY…Partly cloudy with a chance of showers. Lows 50-55. Highs 65-75. Terrain driven winds less than 5 mph. Minimum humidity 50-60%.
