Regional Wildfire Information Center Established - Southwest Oregon

MEDFORD, ORE - Southwest Oregon is currently experiencing high fire danger along with large fires and a high number of displaced residents. To address the information needs of the community, the Bureau of Land Management Medford District, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and the Oregon Department of Forestry have activated a Wildfire Information Center. The center’s mission is to answer questions and provide information about fire conditions, public lands closures and public use fire restrictions. The Wildfire Information Center is publishing an information blog that aggregates fire information being produced by the various Incident Management Teams and makes it available in one location creating a one-stop-shop. A call center is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seven-days a week. Firefighting resources across the region are stretched thin due to the outbreak of numerous large fires across the Pacific Northwest that are threatening countless communities. In an effort to reduce the risk of wildfire on public lands and reduce the burden on initial attack resources, the Bureau of Land Management and USDA Forest Service have closed large amounts of public lands across the region. All federal roads and trails located within the closure areas are closed to public access. More information on the closures, including maps, can be found on the Bureau of Land Management’s website at: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions and on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest’s website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou/ Over the weekend,the area is expecting a cooling trend potentially bringing lightening and some rain. However, by Monday temperatures are expected to become warm and dry again. We’re asking residents and visitors to the area to continue to be vigilant and take care not to accidently start a wildfire. Working together, we can protect lives and property from wildfires. Before venturing out to enjoy southwest Oregon’s public lands, plan ahead and Know Before You Go. Find more information on the Southwest Oregon Wildfire Information Center blog or contact the Wildfire Information Center (458) 206-3043.