Pacific Northwest wildfire risk rises in latest forecast
A wildfire started by a US Forest Service-mandated burn in the McKenzie Bridge area earlier this week is smaller than previously thought and may be nearing the end. According to the latest forecasts released on Thursday, the risk of fire appears to be increasing in the Pacific Northwest, and in Washington in particular.
The W-470 fire started during what was intended to be a controlled burn to reduce fuel consumption in the McKenzie Bridge area near Eugene. But high winds caused the fire to escape and spiral into an uncontrolled conflagration originally estimated at 120 to 150 acres.
The federal agency said Thursday that the total burn area was actually 72 acres — 50 acres of which were part of the originally mandated fire plan. Around 100 firefighters and two top squads are working today to establish a containment line around the blaze, a morning report said.
“Fire activity on the W-470 fire decreased overnight due to cooler temperatures and increased relative humidity,” the report said. “As a result, minimal smoke is seen this morning. Some smoke is expected again this afternoon as temperatures rise.”
The wildfire danger forecast is targeting the Pacific Northwest in the latest update
The latest wildfire risk forecast released Thursday has set a big red target for the Pacific Northwest. The risk is highest in Washington, where through July all parts of the state are predicted to have an above-average fire risk and fire danger will remain high through August and September. Washington didn’t get as much snow and precipitation as Oregon, but both states are expected to have hot, dry summers, and warming from El Niño could have an impact by late summer or early fall.
Fine fuel growth in central and southeastern Oregon led to above-average fire fears earlier in the year, but the latest outlook also shows northwest Oregon is at above-average risk.
More:2023 Oregon Wildfire Season: Heat and dry conditions expected to return
Most of western Oregon remains at normal risk, including the Cascade Range and mountains of northeastern Oregon, where snowpack is still above normal despite rapid melting due to the warm end in May.
Overall, Oregon is heading into the fire season in better shape than it has for several years. But if the heat and dry weather persist and there are lightning strikes or more man-made fires, it could be a busy year.
Zach Urness has been an outdoor reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is the host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Hiking Southern Oregon. He can be reached at [email protected] or 503-399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.