ODF
Lack of spring rainfall, rapid snowpack loss have dried fuels, boosted risk of fire spread
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Fire season will begin for The Dalles and Prineville units of Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, the earliest declaration in more than 40 years, officials said Thursday.
Leadership within the district say they have been monitoring fuel conditions this spring, as well as reviewing snowpack, weather forecasts and drought impacts. The limited precipitation across the region this spring has affected down woody fuel moisture content, as well as the condition of live vegetation fuels and their susceptibility to fire ignition and spread.