PORTLAND, Ore. — Fire managers in the Inland Northwest expect wildfires to be an ongoing issue until significant downpours of rain or snow in the upcoming 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.
According to the United States Forest Service (USFS), widespread lighting is expected in August; fire crews are approaching the spreading of new wildfires with integrated risk management, ecosystem resilience, and community involvement. Investigations on long-lasting wildfires are diving deep into creating primary and contingency containment lines to prevent flames from reaching communities, powerlines, water supply systems and other essential resources.
According to the USFS, these long-duration fires can mostly be found in timber-dominated forests in Washington and Oregon, especially along and west of the Cascades. Timber is the perfect fuel for making fires grow rapidly, making it harder for fire crews to contain them.
“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.”
Fires that start in remote locations where hazards such as loose rocks and logs can make it more difficult and dangerous for firefighters trying to haul themselves and fire equipment to the scene of the flames.
Until the east wind events come during the fall, progress toward extinguishing all wildfires is extremely difficult, and the outcomes of a wildfire will continue to affect communities.
“Communities will likely face prolonged smoke and other impacts from these fires,” said Kane. “Large and long-duration fires vary in intensity and will continue to produce smoke as they move with wind and terrain until extinguished by significant rain or snow.”
