Oregon wildfires likely to last until fall rains arrive

Crook County residents tired of wildfire smoke better hope for an early fall and lots of rain.

Fire Managers in the Pacific Northwest are predicting that many wildfires currently burning in Washington and Oregon, and potentially new ones, will persist until the region experiences significant rain or snow this fall.

“It is likely that wildfires currently burning in Crook County and Central Oregon, such as the Crazy Creek Fire, will persist until the region experiences significant rainfall or snow,” said Isabella Isaksen, acting public affairs officer for Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland. “Until we see a shift in weather patterns, these fires could continue to smolder and produce smoke well into the fall and winter.”

Forest Service officials report that with widespread lightning expected this month, fire managers will be adopting a strategic approach to integrate risk management, ecosystem resilience and community involvement on long-duration fires before typical east wind events potentially arrive around the beginning of fall.

“Our planners are taking a realistic look at current wildfires, expected new fires and the resources we have to help us safeguard human lives and property while enhancing our ability to respond to wildfires in high-risk areas,” said Jacque Buchanan, regional forester for the Pacific Northwest region of the Forest Service.

Among other tactics, firefighters working long-duration wildfires will focus on identifying and preparing a network of primary and contingency containment lines to help stop fires as they approach critical areas like communities, powerlines, water supply systems and natural and cultural resources.

“Firefighting is inherently risky. Our role as fire managers is to develop strategies that maximize success while minimizing the risk of injury or death to emergency responders,” said Kelly Kane, acting fire, fuels and aviation director for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska regions. “There is no structure that is worth the life of the sons, daughters, parents, siblings and friends that make up our wildland firefighting workforce.”

Forest Service officials note that long-duration fires are typical in timber-dominated forests, such as those found in Oregon and Washington, particularly along and west of the Cascades. Those areas provide ample fuel that can sustain fires for extended periods and hold heat deep within the interior of a wildfire until conditions either escalate or moderate fire activity.

How long wildfires last is influenced by a combination of factors.

“While containment lines are crucial for stopping a fire's spread, the longevity of a fire often hinges on weather patterns, such as the arrival of significant rain or snow and the amount of available fuel — such as dry vegetation and timber,” Isaksen said. “This underscores the importance of fuels treatments, such as thinning, hand and mechanical piling and burning and landscape-scale prescribed burns, which can reduce the intensity and spread of wildfires.”

With more fire activity expected and the potential for lightning starting more fires, forest officials encourage people to exercise caution and prevent human-caused starts.

“By adhering to fire restrictions, practicing safe fire behaviors and respecting emergency closures, we can reduce the number of new fire starts and help protect our communities from further fire activity,” Isaksen said.