$200 million. That’s what the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) spent putting wildfires out over the past two fire seasons. This does not take into account the dozens of homes lost, the impact to communities, and the loss of valuable natural resources. The cost of fire goes well beyond dollars and cents. As May’s Wildfire Awareness Month comes to an end in Oregon, it is the hope of wildland fire protection agencies that the message has been received leading into what could be another catastrophic fire season. “We’re faced with a daunting task,” says Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Prevention Coordinator Tom Fields. “With drought conditions plaguing much of the state, it is crystal clear that, as a society, we all need to put fire prevention practices front and center in our daily lives.” Statewide under ODF’s protection of nearly 16 million acres, 70 percent of all wildfires are human-caused. Human-caused fires are anything not started by lightning and include but are not limited to outdoor debris burning, campfires, smoking, equipment use (including vehicles, power lines, lawn mowers, welding, etc.), fireworks, ammunition, exploding targets and arson.
