Wildfires

Capable of destroying forests, homes, and critical infrastructure, wildfires pose an increasing threat to countless Americans. Across the country, the number, severity, and duration of wildfires have increased in recent years. Additionally, human development into areas susceptible to wildfires has also increased. These areas, known as wildland-urban interface areas, pose not only an increased risk to individuals living in them but also to the firefighter’s tasked with protecting them. As a direct result of both upward trends in wildfire severity and an increasing number of citizens inhabiting wildland-urban interface areas, an increasing effort has been put forth by a number of local, state, and government agencies to control and manage wildfires. Additionally, these agencies have also begun to focus on educating the public about this devastating natural hazard and how to best mitigate the risks associated with wildfires. One agency working to inform the public of wildfire risk is the National Weather Service.

Currently, the National Weather Service (NWS) informs the public of times of increased wildfire risk by issuing notices when weather conditions favor the ignition and rapid growth of wildfires. One such notice issued by the NWS is the Fire Weather Watch. A Fire Weather Watch is issued to alert land managers and the public that weather conditions developing in the next 12 to 72 hours could result in critical fire weather conditions. The NWS, in conjunction with land management agencies, also issues Red Flag Warnings. These notices are issued when currently existing weather conditions or conditions expected to develop in the next 24 hours are favorable to rapid fire growth. In addition to alerts issued by the NWS, some communities may also utilize the National Fire Danger Rating System.

The National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) takes into account a number of factors, including fuels, weather, topography, and local risk. Considering these specific factors, fire managers estimate the daily fire danger for a specific area. Consisting of 5 different color-coded levels, the NFDRS functions to clearly inform visitors and residents of current conditions and help mitigate their actions to reduce wildfires resulting from human causes. Each level of the NFDRS is described in more detail in the table below.

Updated daily, fire danger ratings can be found posted outside local ranger districts as well as on the Lakeview Interagency Fire Center website. This website has other helpful information such as fire restrictions, industrial fire precaution levels, and local fire information. Information on local air quality and burn restrictions is available on the Klamath County Air Quality Advisory website.

Wildfires in Klamath County

For historical data regarding fires in Klamath County, visit Oregon State Fire Marshal: Oregon National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS)

A vital component of ecosystems throughout the local area, wildfire has shaped much of the landscape that makes up Klamath County. Historically, Klamath County has had frequent, low-intensity wildfires that thinned out excess vegetation and reduced the buildup of pine needles, leaves, and other dead organic material. Much of the vegetation found throughout Klamath County has adaptations allowing it to not only grow but thrive in the presence of frequent fires. As a result, many of the healthiest forests in the county are those that see frequent, low-intensity fires. Not recognizing the beneficial effects of fire on local ecosystems, early settlers of Klamath County sought to reduce and ultimately eliminate wildfire risk in the area.

As a result of the beliefs of early settlers and national policies on fire management, aggressive fire suppression practices were employed for much of the 20^th century. These practices resulted in the buildup of vegetation and ultimately created the unnatural conditions necessary for the large, high-intensity fires seen across much of the United States today. Since the early 20^th century, fire management principles have changed drastically and fire is now recognized as an important element of healthy forests, deserts, and grasslands. Despite this drastic shift in both fire management principles and policies, the aggressive fire suppression efforts put forth by numerous agencies throughout the early 20^th century have created a fire-prone landscape across much of the county.

With an increasing number of homes being built in areas previously subject to intense fire suppression efforts, local fire management agencies and officials face a major challenge; how to best reduce wildfire risk for individuals living in these areas. With such a significant portion of the county at risk, local officials, fire management agencies, and other experts composed an extensive plan to reduce wildfire risk throughout the area. This plan, the Community Wildfire Protect Plan (CWPP), was composed with the hopes that its implementation would ultimately help to preserve life and property from catastrophic wildfires. In addition to the Klamath County CWPP, a number of both public and private efforts aimed at reducing the risk of high-intensity wildfires are taking place throughout the county.

Wildfire Readiness

Oregon State University has prepared many resources to make readiness easy - Before, During, and After a wildfire. Visit their website for their excellent information: Wildfire readiness | OSU Extension Service (oregonstate.edu)