Forest Service, Seattle Fire Department report 'significant increase' in human-caused fires
Amanda Zhou The Seattle Times A "significant increase" in wildfires has been caused by humans in National Forest lands in Oregon and Washington this year, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Between June 1 and July 28, 197 human-caused or undetermined-caused fire starts have been reported; the total number of fires in 2023 wasn't immediately available. In 2022, 409 human-caused fires were reported in Oregon and Washington Forest Service land. In 2021, 494 were reported. "The reasons behind