As the weather gets hotter and social distancing rules persist, many Oregonians are turning to the great outdoors. Campgrounds, parks, and recreation areas are being flooded at unprecedented levels.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department spokesman Chris Havel said, “It’s like having the crowds you see for a holiday weekend, except all the time.”
Some campgrounds are beyond full capacity, leading campers to create their own sites. Darren Cross, McKenzie River district ranger for Willamette National Forest, said they’ve seen a roughly 30 percent increase in “pioneered sites” — meaning people are clearing brush for a place to put their tent. That can quickly cause damage to the forest floor.
As the heat continues, Oregonians should be extra careful in the dry, highly flammable forests. Districts in western Oregon, including Benton County, are at especially high risk. Exceptions include the coastal counties of Clatsop, Coos, Curry, and Tillamook, which remain at moderate fire danger.
Counties experiencing high fire danger in western Oregon include Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill.
To mitigate the risk of unintentionally starting forest fires, the Oregon Department of Forestry is restricting the use of fireworks, debris burning, exploding targets, and any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine. Also encouraged is the proper disposal of cigarettes and campfires, which are only allowed in designated locations
For more information on fire danger for your county visit the Oregon Department of Forestry
By Emily Weninger
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