Northwest sees 100 human-caused fires since June as lightning, winds forecast

There have been 100 human-caused wildfires on national forests and grasslands in Oregon and Washington since June, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Fire danger in Oregon will continue to be tested as eastern parts of the state prepare for potential dry lightning and winds amid already dangerous conditions as multiple fires continue to burn.

The Forest Service announced Thursday fire managers expected dry lightning storms from Saturday through early Monday morning. The affected areas include Klamath Falls north to Bend and east toward La Grande.

Many forest areas in the Pacific Northwest have already reached record dry conditions.

“It’s as dry as I’ve ever seen it. From the Canadian border to southeast Oregon, multiple areas have broken daily records for forecasted fire intensity. Bottom line? If it starts, it’s going to burn hot and it’s going to burn fast," Ed Hiatt, Pacific Northwest assistant fire director for operations, said in a news release.

More than a dozen regional national forests are enforcing campfire restrictions as fire danger across the state continues to rise. Mount Hood National Forest has prohibited all campfires. Other forests have public-use restrictions.

"As firefighters are responding to lightning-sparked fires a preventable, human-caused wildfire can limit availability of needed engines, dozer, helicopters, and other resources," the agency said in a news release.

Emma Logan is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached atelogan@salem.gannett.com or on X @emmmalogan