firefighter

While most of the wildfires in Oregon were started by lightning, officials report continuing problems from people who fail to extinguish campfires or build fires where they are not allowed because of the high fire danger. Fires are allowed only in designated, established fire rings in campgrounds and other designated camping areas and must be cold to the touch before leaving the site.

People sometimes think that if there was a little bit of rain, as there was locally in late June, the fire danger plummets, Linder said.

Forest Service studies also show these dense stands increase the fire danger, aggravated by the region's recent cycle of dry weather.

ROSEBURG - Douglas County fire officials say local conditions are showing signs of fire danger not usually seen until mid-summer.

The warning is issued when weather conditions push fire danger especially high.

But vegetation across the region has dried out as warm weather set in this month, moving the fire danger level to high or extreme through much of the state.

Today is the last day for backyard burning until the fall under Lane Regional Air Protection Agency rules, marking the end of the wet season and the beginning of a temporary summer burn ban due to increased fire danger.