While there is nowhere of high concern right now in Grant County for a potential wildfire, firefighters on the Malheur and Umatilla national forests are gearing up for the upcoming fire season.

Eric Miller, assistant fire management officer for the Malheur National Forest, said they have all of their resources fully staffed and are training for the upcoming seasons.

He said that all resources should be ready to go by mid-June, and they will order outside resources as needed to supplement their staffing.

“We are still challenged by COVID, and if it is a busy fire season in the Western U.S., then we will be competing with other fires for critical resources such as aviation, (interagency Hotshot) crews and incident management teams,” Miller said. “Last summer, there was a large increase in visitors to public lands, and we’re expecting that trend again this year — so we want to get the word out to visitors on how they can help prevent fires, since we don’t want a corresponding increase in fires.”

The upcoming fire season is always hard to predict, according to Miller, but current projections based on drought monitoring and the forecast indicate a busy fire season in the Pacific Northwest.

Miller said the predictions are for above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation, further increasing the drought conditions.

Miller and Rachel Pawlitz, interagency communication specialist for fire, fuels and aviation management, said one way Grant County citizens can help this fire season is following the public use restrictions.

They added that people need to avoid leaving their campfires unattended and report smoke to John Day Dispatch or 911.

“The basic rule of thumb is: If a fire is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave,” they said. “Also, check your vehicle and address worn brakes, clogged exhausts, underinflated or flat tires, poorly greased bearings, and ensure there are no dragging parts, trailer chains or tow straps. Clear your undercarriage of accumulated grass and weeds, which can easily take a spark. Carry a fire extinguisher in your vehicle.”

Check conditions — including weather forecasts and public use restrictions — before heading onto public lands. Check Keep Oregon Green’s webpage for the latest on fire restrictions: https://keeporegongreen.org/current-conditions.

Consider alternatives to a campfire. Pack a portable camp stove as a safer option for outdoor cooking. These are often allowed even when campfires are prohibited. When the sun sets you can still set a “campfire storytelling” vibe by getting creative with a solar-powered lantern or a flashlight.

Select the right spot. If campfires are allowed, use an existing ring. Fire pits in established campgrounds are the best spots. Avoid placing fires near shrubs or trees, tents, structures or vehicles. Avoid low-hanging branches overhead and store extra firewood a good distance away. Clear the site to bare soil if no ring is available. Remove ground vegetation at least 5 feet on all sides and encircle your fire with rocks.

Keep it small. Smaller campfires are less likely to escape, and large fires are more likely cast hot embers long distances. Add firewood in small amounts, and only after existing material is consumed. Never use gasoline or other accelerants. Don’t use flammable or combustible liquids, such as gasoline, propane or lighter fluid, to start or increase your campfire.

Attend your campfire at all times. An unattended campfire can grow into a costly, damaging wildfire within minutes.

Drown all embers with water when you are ready to leave. Have water and fire tools on site. Bring a shovel and a bucket of water to extinguish any escaped embers. Stir the coals, then drown them again. Repeat until the fire is dead out.