KLAMATH & LAKE COUNTIES, Ore. -- Oregon Department of Forestry's Klamath-Lake District says Labor Day is among summer holiday weekends that bring an increase in abandoned campfires on area wildlands.  This year it starts with a Red Flag Alert Friday for Klamath and Lake Counties.

Campfires are prohibited as part of Public Use Restrictions on most public lands in South Central Oregon.  That's part of the District's reason it wants the public to help prevent people caused wildfires this Labor Day weekend.

It says Labor Day weekend is enjoyed recreating on area public lands or working on outdoor projects and, "This weekend we are expecting to see high temperatures and strong gusty winds. Fire danger remains extreme and fire officials from the South-Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) urge the public to prevent any human-caused wildfires."

"Wildland fire conditions in Klamath & Lake counties are still at extreme fire danger levels," said Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Protection Unit Forester Randall Baley.  "It’s been a good season in terms of challenging fires and would like to keep it that way."

The latest restrictions and regulations, including for ODF and federal agencies, are available at https://scofmp.org/restrictions.shtml.

The public is responsible for ensuring it is aware of restrictions for areas it plans to use for recreation.  For all agencies violation of these prohibitions can bring citations, fines and imprisonment, depending on the agency and order.

Baley says, "This upcoming wind situation combined with recent dry weather patterns have led to a 'pins and needles' situation as we enter late summer and early fall.  We have been blessed so far by not having more human caused fires … my concern is we are only a blink away from additional major problems.  With hunting seasons here and high recreation use with the warm and dry weather, fire officials are keeping a close eye in the entire area with Regulated Use Closures still in effect and continually educating the public on the current conditions."

The District says visitors to public and private wildlands always should use caution to prevent people-caused wildfires, advising them to do the following:

Suspected wildfires should be reported to 911 as soon as possible.

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