September 2, 2022 10:20 a.m.

With hot, dry conditions in the forecast and an increase in visitors traveling for Labor Day weekend, fire officials are asking for the public’s help in preventing human-caused wildfires.

Mike Minton, Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group Chair said, “While this year’s fire season has been lighter compared to recent years, wildfire potential is still high in many areas and all it takes is one careless spark to start a wildfire”. Minton asked residents to be safe and responsible with fire when out and about over the holiday weekend.

A release from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center said each year, fire officials see a spike in human-caused wildfire around the Fourth of July and Labor Day Weekend. These are most often from unattended campfires, fireworks, dragging tow chains, driving on dry grass and dumping of hot ashes and BBQ coals. Fire prevention tips for the holiday weekend include:

*Know before you go – Check online or call about any fire restrictions or closures before venturing out

*Drown your campfire – Make sure a fire is “dead out” before leaving a campsite or going to bed

*Leave the fireworks at home – Fireworks and exploding targets for recreational shooting are prohibited on federal and state-protected lands

*Prevent sparks – Avoid driving or parking on dry grass. Hot exhaust pipes or sparks can start a fire

*Check your chains – When pulling a trailer, be sure safety chains and other metal parts are not hanging from your vehicle as these can drag and cause sparks

*Debris burning remains prohibited – Those with accumulated debris from cleaning up around home and property should cover it with plastic and wait until the fall rains when conditions are better suited to safe debris burning

The release said wildland and structural fire agencies investigate all fires to determine cause. Any person found responsible could be cited and required to pay for costs to suppress the fire, which could be into the millions of dollars.