SALEM, OR -- During this already devastating wildfire season, Oregon drivers are asked to take every precaution to avoid making things worse.

Oregon Emergency Management Deputy Director Patence Winningham says it's an all-too-common problem: drivers come upon a road closed due to a fire incident, and rely too heavily on GPS to get through. "We've seen people starting to take alternative routes up into the forest, which might also be putting them into harm's way," says Winningham, "So we ask you to try to avoid those areas that actually have active fire on the landscape and look for areas that don't."

She says Tripcheck is the best way to track road closures, because it's updated by the Oregon Department of Transportation faster than vehicle and phone GPS systems. Winningham notes is also good to check conditions for where you're going, to make sure you aren't driving into a high-risk area, "Some areas there may not be fire on the landscape, but there might be some severe weather patterns. Fire can move quick, depending on the wind. And it can spread pretty fast, and not always will be able to get resources into those areas to protect people and clear the road, and really make sure folks don't go into harm's way."

All of Oregon is tinder dry, and Winningham says it's important your vehicle is well-maintained, so it doesn't spark another fire. At least one driver sparked a fire by parking on dry grass, "It had come up to a road closure sign because of active wildfire, and the car actually started another fire because it had pulled off to the side of the road." She adds, "People with the chains on the bottom of their car, absolutely. Folks that are throwing cigarettes or burning debris. It's still a thing and we just need to be very cognizant and have a heightened awareness of active fire and how fast fire can spread in certain weather conditions."

If you're staying closer to home, make sure you are two weeks ready, "In the summer months, we have to prepare for living without power for a significant amount of time, because of the risk of wildfire: having enough water, having access to communications tools. Do you have an emergency alert radio?" Utilities may initiate a public safety power shutoff during wind events, to prevent transmission lines from starting a fire. Winningham says companies try to provide one to two days' notice, depending on the forecast, but it could happen in an instant if they detect a problem, "They won't turn the power back on after that, until they're able to walk the entire line to ensure it won't start a fire. And that could take hours."

Photo: The Durkee Fire (07/22/24) closed multiple highways in Baker County.