The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District has officially declared an end to the 2023 fire season in Jackson and Josephine Counties.
This welcome news comes as noticeable rain has wet the region, allowing new green growth and vegetation to thrive, leading to the lifting of all fire season regulations and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL). This declaration takes effect on Friday, October 13, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., and it encompasses the protection of 1.8 million acres across the two counties.
While this year’s fire season presented its share of challenges, the efforts of the district’s firefighters have been commendable. Since the season began on June 1, 2023, they responded to a total of 207 fires, covering 1,634 acres.
The largest fire of the season, known as the Smith River Complex, was lightning-caused and originated in California, eventually reaching Oregon. ODF joined forces with federal partners, including the U.S. Forest Service Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management, to contain the blaze. Of the fire’s 85,429 acres, only 1,440 acres affected ODF-protected lands in Josephine County.
In addition to this, ODF Southwest Oregon firefighters responded to 206 fires during the initial attack, successfully containing them at a total of 194 acres burned. The second largest fire on the district, the Whiskey Creek Fire in Josephine County, was contained at just 27 acres.
ODF had set an annual goal of extinguishing 98% of fires at 10 acres or less. Remarkably, the district came close, achieving a 96% success rate.
With the official end of the fire season, fire prevention regulations on equipment use and debris burning have been lifted for both the public and industrial operations on forestlands, except for industrial slash burning, which remains prohibited. For those looking to engage in residential debris burning, many structural fire agencies require permits, and it’s advised to check with your local fire department for the necessary permits and adhere to burn day designations set by your county:
- Jackson County Burn Line: (541) 776-7007
- Josephine County Burn Line: (541) 476-9663
Even though the fire season is behind us, it’s essential to continue practicing fire prevention when burning debris. This includes never leaving a burn pile unattended and using caution when operating machinery that could generate sparks. The region remains susceptible to wildfires year-round, and fire safety should always be a priority.
For more fire prevention tips and information, you can visit the ODF Southwest Oregon District’s website at www.swofire.com.
Source: ODF
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