Here’s a quick rundown on fire season and the weather from Oregon Department of Forestry Northwest District Foresters – Mike Cafferatta, Kate Skinner and Dan Goody:
A busy week with three fires going into extended attack. All were kept small, but definitely stretched the fire crews. Help from the South Fork Forest Camp, the operator community, and from the rural fire departments were greatly appreciated. The fires are now in patrol status, and the engines are back and ready for the next round.
Fuel conditions vary over the association area. Some areas got a little rain on Tuesday which was welcomed. Other areas did not. We elected to stay at IFPL3 in zones NW3 and NW2 based on the fuel conditions and the weather forecast. Today we have an east wind developing and very low humidities, down into the teens. It is a short-lived event. Saturday and Sunday will be hot and dry, but not as bad as today and Friday. Next week looks much cooler and humidity should be much higher. We will reevaluate the IFPL levels after the east wind passes and next week’s forecast firms up.
Lightning is also in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow morning. We are preparing to send out maps to the landowner community for help in checking possible strike locations. We are also working on a detection flight. If you are headed out in the forest tomorrow morning, be extra vigilant looking for smoke.
