FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 18, 2015
Contacts: Jennifer Velez, BLM Eugene District (541)222-9241
Judy McHugh, Willamette National Forest (541)915-5372
Rod Nichols, ODF (503)945-7425
Wildfire Awareness – What You Can Do
Springfield, OR - In recognition of Wildfire Awareness Month, fire management officials are encouraging
people to think about the actions they can take to help prevent wildfires, and lessen the potential impacts of what
could be an active fire season.
Conditions for the Willamette Valley including forestland in the foothills of the Coastal and Cascade Ranges are
drier than normal. The National Interagency Fire Center expects the potential for large fires to rise to above
normal in June, and remain above normal through August.
Hundreds of firefighters have been hired in Oregon to suppress wildfires here and in other parts of the country.
These firefighters are currently completing the training needed to do their work effectively and safely.
The number one consideration with all wildfire management decisions is firefighter and public safety.
“The actions that visitors to public lands and homeowners can take now to help prevent and prepare for wildfires
ultimately creates safer conditions for firefighters to work in,” said Sean Stafford, Fire Management Officer for the
BLM Eugene District and Willamette National Forest. “It really takes everyone working together to manage and
lessen the impacts of wildfire,” said Stafford.
One of the best ways visitors can prevent human caused fires on public lands is by putting out their campfires; a
fully extinguished campfire is cool to the touch. It’s also important to know what campfire restrictions may be in
effect. Some areas, such as Wilderness Areas, may require a camp stove.
Fire prevention and pre-season preparations on private lands are important too. Residents are encouraged to be
proactive, and take advantage of the resources available to help make their homes and neighborhoods more fireready and more fire-adapted. Actions include clearing out dead or fire-prone vegetation around the home and
removing leaves and pine needles from the roof and gutters.
These kinds of preparations support year-round efforts by agencies to reduce hazardous fuels on public lands and
around private lands including recent fuels reduction projects near the town of Westfir, OR led by the
Willamette National Forest and Oregon Department of Forestry, and a partnership that is underway between the
City of Eugene and Bureau of Land Management Eugene District to reduce hazardous fuels in Ridgeline natural
areas and West Eugene.
The following resources offer helpful tips for making your home safer from wildfire:
Tips for your home http://keeporegongreen.com/ and http://www.firewise.org/wildfire-preparedness.aspx
Fire info for the Pacific Northwest: http://www.nwccweb.us/information/fire_info.aspx
Fire info in the Willamette National Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/willamette/fire
Prescribed burning info in the Willamette Valley: https://www.facebook.com/WillametteValleyPrescribedFire
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