September 19, 2022 3:00 a.m. 

Officials with the Oregon Department of Forestry are urging the public to continue practicing fire prevention activities even as the weather changes.

An ODF release said fire is still on the landscape and fire season is in effect. Oregon is still experiencing severe drought in the majority of the state, with dry fuels, higher temperatures and low humidity.

The release said even with lower temperatures that are coming, there is still potential for a fire to start and grow significantly. Thus far in the season, Oregonian’s have done a good job of keeping human-caused fires below the 10-year average. ODF encourages the public to keep up the good work and persist until the official end of fire season.

Wildfire prevention means:

*Debris burning is prohibited during fire season without a permit. Residents should cover burn piles and wait until fire season is over. A dry, covered pile is cleaner and safer to burn late in the fall or in the winter

*Vehicles should not be parked over dry grass

*Cigarettes should be disposed of using designated receptacles, butts should never be discarded on the ground or in vegetation outdoors

*Local restrictions should be checked before lighting a fire

More on wildfire prevention at www.keeporegongreen.org