September 22, 2019 6:00 a.m.
Fire officials with the Douglas Forest Protective Association will officially end fire season within the Douglas District on Monday.
Kyle Reed of DFPA said the end of fire season is a result of significant rainfall and an overall cooling trend which has returned to the area.
With the end of fire season, industrial fire restrictions will no longer be in effect. Backyard debris burning outside of incorporated cities will be allowed without a burn permit from DFPA.  Reed said residents should contact their local fire department before conducting any type of debris burning as fire restrictions may vary between local fire districts. The only type of burning that requires a permit from DFPA outside of fire season is for the burning of logging slash. Any type of commercial tree harvest that requires excess debris to be burned constitutes logging slash and does require a burn permit.
Reed said despite fire season coming to an end, residents should still exercise caution when burning or using fire in the woods. Several days of sunshine and dry weather during the fall months can create a fire risk even if a week or more of rainy, cool conditions proceed them. Reed said those burning yard debris should be sure to have an adequate fire trail around the pile before ignition begins and have fire tools and a water supply at the burn site. Debris piles should never be left unattended and should be fully extinguished before leaving the area. If a debris burn escapes containment, the responsible party may be held financially responsible for the resulting fire suppression costs and associated damages.
Reed said private industrial landowners and public land management agencies may still have fire restrictions on the lands they own or manage. Recreationists should check with the appropriate landowner or agency for the location they plan to recreate at, before heading to the woods.
DFPA’s 2019 fire season began on June 11th and lasted 104 days, which ranks 5th in the Association’s 108-year history for the fewest days in a declared fire season.
Firefighters suppressed 101 fires which burned 13,445 acres within the Douglas District. Lightning sparked 34 wildfires that burned about 15 acres while 67 human caused fires scorched 13,430 acres. The largest was the Milepost 97 Fire which was caused by an illegal campfire.