LAKEVIEW, Ore. – South central Oregon wildland firefighters have prepositioned themselves for forecasted lightning strikes this weekend.

Weather forecasts indicate a slight chance of lightning strikes this afternoon and Saturday which will increase on Sunday. Additional lightning is possible middle to late next week. Fire danger levels remain high in the region as temperatures are forecast to be ten to fifteen degrees above normal.

In an abundance of caution to preserve public safety, fire managers have added one Type 2 helicopter, one Single Engine Air Tanker, and a detection aircraft from the U.S. Forest Service; as well as a Type 3 helicopter and strike-team of engines from the Oregon Department of Forestry.

This is in addition to the regular complement of crews and equipment from partner agencies that stand prepared to respond to any reported wildfires.

Community safety and that of our firefighters is the number one priority for all SCOFMP employees.

The South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership provides comprehensive fire services to more than eight million acres of land administered by Lakeview District Bureau of Land Management; Fremont-Winema National Forest; Oregon Department of Forestry Klamath-Lake District; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge and Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge; and National Park Service Crater Lake National Park. The area encompasses federal, state and private lands within south central Oregon and northwest Nevada.

Press release provided by South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP).

Fire Weather Watch

The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for the afternoon Sunday, July 15, 2018.

Watch Areas include:

Klamath Basin
Fremont-Winema National Forest
South Central Oregon Desert
Eastern Lake County
Western Harney County
Modoc County

More info

Klamath Falls News coverage of the 2018 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Excel Auto Body.

We at Excel Auto Body appreciate the brave men and women wildland firefighters that put themselves in harms way to protect our greatest treasures. Thank you for all that you.

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