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Forestry Officials Pleased With Limited Firework Use, Worried About Lightning

oregonlive.com

Wildfires burning in Oregon started early this year, and could be active late into the fire season. Most blazes in 2015 have been lightning-caused so far. The biggest is the Corner Creek Fire burning near the South Fork John Day River in the Ochoco National Forest. It's about 15 percent contained and has burned more than 26 thousand acres. Oregon Department of Forestry Spokesman Rod Nichols is very pleased with the lack of fireworks-related fires on forest lands this year during the 4th of July Holiday.  

Nichols: "Because those things burn so hot, they can spread a fire very rapidly. Generally, I think Oregonians took to heart the message that the forest is very dry and were careful."

Nichols says the last two years were the most expensive and damaging in Oregon's history of fighting fires. He says lightning was the main cause of large forest fires during that time, and so far, there have been less lightning caused blazes this year. But, he says, if more thunderstorms return in the next few months, Oregon will be looking at the third record setting fire season in a row.

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