BLM Urges Fire Safety Over Labor Day Weekend Amid High Risk

PORTLAND, OR – With high temperatures and dry conditions elevating wildfire risk, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is reminding the public to exercise caution as the Labor Day holiday approaches. Officials stress that human activity is responsible for the majority of wildfires, with an estimated 85 percent nationwide linked to people rather than natural causes.

“Those visiting public lands must remain extremely attentive throughout fire season,” said BLM Fire Prevention Specialist Adam Johnson. “The widespread heat and prolonged severe drought can cause wildfires to grow very quickly.”

Statewide restrictions remain in place, including a ban on campfires, fireworks, exploding targets, and incendiary devices. Other prohibited or restricted activities may include charcoal grilling, smoking in brush or forested areas, driving off-road outside designated areas, and operating chainsaws or combustion engines without proper spark arrestors.

The BLM advises travelers to check local rules and closures before heading outdoors. Maps and up-to-date fire restrictions for Oregon and Washington are available online, but officials also caution that other federal, state, or local agencies may enforce their own limits.

Violating fire prevention orders can lead to fines of up to $100,000 and possible imprisonment for up to 12 months. Individuals found responsible for starting wildfires may also face significant costs for suppression efforts and damages.

The BLM, which manages about 245 million acres of public land across 12 western states, continues to encourage safe recreation practices to protect communities, landscapes, and resources.

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