This year, national forests throughout the Pacific Southwest Region face large numbers of first-time visitors with little to no experience recreating in forested areas.
Forest visitation is up 30% due to Covid-19, increasing the potential for human-caused fires. The USDA Forest Service would like to remind forest visitors of some essential information on what they can do to reduce human-caused wildfires on national forests.
- Each citizen has the responsibility to do their part to prevent human-caused wildfire.
- Be aware of and adhere to all fire restrictions.
- Abandoned campfires are the leading cause of human-caused wildfires and are often a result of improperly extinguished campfires.
- If the campfire is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
- Drown, Stir and Feel to ensure a campfire is properly extinguished.
- Research safer campfire alternatives.
- Parking, driving or idling a vehicle on dry vegetation could cause a wildfire; To prevent vehicle-caused fires, drivers should:
- Maintain your vehicle.
- Have spark arrestors on ATV’s and UTV’s.
- Secure chains or other items that may drag.
- Properly inflate tires.
“The safety of the public, communities and all front-line responders remains the highest priority for all wildland fire agencies,” said Deb Bumpus, Forest Supervisor. “Together we should all do our part to prevent human-caused fires.”
