September 8, 2019 5:45 a.m.
Nearly 35 confirmed fires have been found on the Umpqua National Forest as a result of Thursday’s barrage of lightning.
Emily Veale of the Forest Service said the extraordinary storm did not produce large amounts of precipitation. Veale said due to an aggressive initial attack and favorable weather conditions, the fires have not exceeded 1 acre in size.
Riva Duncan, Forest Fire Management Officer said the cooler weather has been helpful to firefighters but staff is “not taking that for granted”. Duncan said they are expecting more smoke reports for the next week. She said fire managers brought in additional resources including Type 2 Initial Attack Hand Crews, Type 1 Hotshot Crews, a Type 1 helicopter, along with engines, fallers, heli-rappelers and support staff.
Veale said now that hunting season has begun, there are many more people enjoying the Umpqua. Forest Service staff is asking that the community remain aware of firefighting personnel traffic as they work to respond to current and new smoke reports.