The Oregon Department of Forestry stages a vehicle at the Gales Creek Fire Station on Tuesday, August 27 2019. Photo: Chas Hundley
The official fire season ended Monday, October 12 in this portion of NW Oregon, bringing to an official close a season unlike any other in recent history in Oregon.
The end of the season became official at noon, according to an email sent by Kate Skinner, district forester for the Tillamook District of the Oregon Department of Forestry.
The Northwest Oregon Forest Protective Association (NWOFPA) region stretches north to the Columbia River, west to the Pacific Ocean, south to Sheridan, and east to parts of Gales Creek, the Killin Wetlands outside of Banks and to Scappoose. On Wednesday, July 1, the region covered by the NWOFPA entered fire season.
“Our seasonal fire staff are hired and in training. We had a few small fires in April to help us prepare to fight fire in COVID-19 conditions. We are refining how we respond to keep everyone safe, and will be ready to respond when needed,” said Forest Grove district forester Mike Cafferata in an email shortly before fire season began.
“We want to thank all of the landowners and operators for their efforts this year for prevention, readiness and firefighting for NW Oregon Association and across the state,” Skinner wrote in an email on Monday. “The cooperation across the three districts with all firefighters and partners made a difference not only to contain fires and protect forests but to protect the urban interface and homes.”
For current fire restrictions for the general public, visit gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html. Those looking for industrial use restrictions should visit gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/ifpl.html.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Gales Creek Journal and sister news publications the Banks Post and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.
