The rain over the weekend was a welcome sight for wildland firefighters. Coos Forest Protection Association (CFPA) reports that fire danger is cumulative so as the season goes on the fuels get dryer and dryer. This weekend was the first time in a long time that fuels started to get moister rather than dryer. Firefighters know that the first rains after a long fire season can be a double edged sword. “The first rains of the year can give a false sense of safety. The rain has been a long time coming and this weekend’s rain was a good start, but if people get careless it can cause some real problems” said John Flannigan, CFPA’s Prevention Specialist. “Our fuels have been drying out for months and it will take some significant time and moisture to get us out of fire danger” Flannigan added. CFPA wants to remind everyone that the Public Regulated Use Restrictions are still in effect. Campfires are still only allowed in improved, hosted campgrounds, vehicles need to stay on improved roads and carry fire tools and an extinguisher and there is no smoking outside of your vehicle. For a complete list of restrictions you can call CFPA at 541-267-3161 or visit their web site at coosfpa.net. Most private lands are still closed to access as well. To check access information you can contact the landowner. The Oregon Department of Forestry web page has some land access information for timber companies as well. Fire season will always seem to drag on in the fall, especially in the Coast Range. Historically, fall is when the Coast Range has its largest fires. Most of the large fires are associated with a drought, not unlike our current situation. The amount of fuel in the Coast Range takes a long time to dry out so it takes a long time to soak up moisture as well. Add some dry, east winds and fall becomes a prime time for wildfire on the coast.
