Fire Season Ends in Klamath & Lake Counties

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The 2017 Fire Season was a difficult season for local, state and federal resources. As of Oct. 20, 2017 the 2017 Fire Season in Klamath and Lake Counties has come to a close. File Photo of the Modoc July Complex. (Brian Gailey)

Klamath Falls, Ore. - Klamath and Lake Counties’ 2017 Fire Season is officially ending Friday, October 20, 2017 at 12:01 am. “Fire Season” for the area has been in effect since June 5th.   During the 2017 season, the Klamath-Lake District has documented 129 fires that burned approximately 1,937 acres on ODF protected lands. For the ODF Klamath-Lake District, just about half of the total number of fire starts came from numerous summer lightning storm events. The other half were human caused ignitions.   

Fire managers from the Klamath-Lake District, Oregon Department of Forestry [ODF], in cooperation with other local wildland fire agencies and structural fire departments, would like to remind the public that just because fire season has been terminated, fire starts and spread may still occur under the right conditions.  Please continue to use fire safe practices all year-round. 

The ban on Open Debris burning in Klamath and Lake Counties is being lifted.  Check with your local rural structural fire district for burning and permit regulations within their districts and ALSO the county health departments for air quality restrictions.

Debris Burning Reminders are as follows: 

• Burn only during daylight hours.
• Burn in cleared areas.
• Burn in ‘no wind’ conditions (0-7 mph).
• Burn only when you are meeting the Air Quality guidelines.
• Burning of large slash piles should be delayed until more moisture has hit the area.
• Burn only when a responsible person can be in attendance with a shovel and water supply.

 Landowners need to remember that any burning escaping their control is their liability and they could be billed for any fire suppression costs.  Be cautious, be fire safe.

The Oregon Department of Forestry, Klamath-Lake District, do not issue or require burn permits on lands solely protected by them when fire season is not in effect. Please be aware that a PDM is still required for all harvest activity burning.

*** According to KlamathAir.org - The fall open burning window within the Air Quality Zone begins Saturday, October 21, 2017, at 8 am and ends on November 5, 2017 at 5 pm.