The U.S. Bureau of Land Management as of Friday has prohibited the use of fireworks, target shooting with exploding targets, and the firing of a tracer or incendiary device on all BLM-managed public lands throughout Oregon and Washington. The ban will be in effect until Oct. 31.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the 2019 wildfire outlook for the Pacific Northwest suggests an overall normal year and not as intense as previous ones.
The long-range forecast from NOAA indicates that east of the Cascades in Oregon and much of Washington will have a summer with more moisture than typical. By comparison, areas west of the Cascades will be hotter and drier starting in late June and possibly into September. “For many families, the Memorial Day holiday, sets the mark for families and friends to enjoy the outdoors and our public lands. As stewards of more than 16 million acres of land managed by the BLM in Oregon and Washington, the BLM wants to remind everyone to play it safe with campfires and outdoor cooking. Remember sparks fly and even a small breeze can fan the flames. We want to protect our wildlife habitats, watersheds, rangelands, and forests – the lands that work for you,” said Theresa Hanley, state director for BLM Oregon/Washington.