SALEM, OR -- Most of Oregon has seen some precipitation in the past week and, with cooler temperatures here to stay, the Department of Forestry declared Fire Season officially ends Saturday for all of its districts around the state. ODF’s Jessica Prakke says despite predictions, "It was a more tame season, compared to 2021, 2020. On ODF, specifically, we had two fires. One was the Rum Creek Fire and then also the Van Meter Fire." The Rum Creek Fire burned more than 21,000 acres, northwest of Grants Pass. The Van Meter burned just over 2,600 acres, near Klamath Falls.

"Our detection systems, like our multi-mission aircraft and our camera detention system, helped us in early detecting in more remote forested areas, and being able to send out our crews early to then put the fire out," says Prakke, "We were able to put out 96% of our fires at 10 acres or less."

She says the lighter than expected season allowed ODF to help other agencies battling their own wildfires, "We sent resources to some of the larger fires across the state; we helped out our friends at the Office of State Fire Marshal with aviation needs." ODF teams also helped fight fires in New Mexico, Texas and Alaska. 

With the end of fire season comes debris burning. Prakke asks everyone to keep wildfire prevention top of mind and take appropriate precautions, even with more moisture on the ground.