Work is winding down on the wildfires burning in southern Oregon.
Nearly one months ago lightning began the battle that’s led to 95,000 scorched acres.
Fire fighters are making tremendous progress and most of the fires are starting to wind down. But it doesn’t mean we are out of the clear yet, we are only halfway through the fire season.
July 26, 2013.A dry lightning storm sweeps through southern Oregon, starting several small fires that quickly grow into what some are calling a historic fire season.
“It’s been abnormally dry and abnormally hot, so with that of course comes more fire,” said Catlin Goins, of the Oregon Department of Forestry.
And it’s not very often that our fires burn for as long as they have.
“1987 real big fire year, 2002 really big fire year.I wouldn’t say it’s at that same level, but it’s just one of those things where it’s historically dry, historically hot.”
Over the weekend fire crews contained the Whisky Complex fire and as the other fires are getting closer to containment, it does not necessarily mean the fire is out.
“Contained means we have a line built around the it. It can be a hand dugline, it could be a bulldozer has gone around, it can be bucket work or retardant drops from helicopters or retardant airtankers.”
Even when fire crews do leave, there still is plenty of danger left over and everyone will need to use caution in burnt areas.
“There are tripping hazards, falling hazards, go out enjoy the forest lands, but do it with common sense. Respect what we have out there.”
Our weekend rains did help loosen some restrictions on public lands, but not enough to move the fire level from extreme.
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