BEND, OR -- Most local wildfires are caused by people. "As of August fifth, we have had 155 human-caused fires and those have burned over 151,360 acres across Central Oregon," says Kaitlyn Webb, with the Deschutes National Forest. Last Friday's Mile Marker 132 Fire was caused by a houseless person's cooking fire in the area of Juniper Ridge, north of Bend, according to Bend Fire & Rescue. But encampments aren't the only culprit. In early July, the McCaffery Fire was initially blamed on unsanctioned campers, but the investigation later revealed that fire near the Redmond Airport started by recreational shooters using exploding targets. And last Friday's Stillman Fire, near Powell Butte (pictured), was caused by sparks thrown from a vehicle's tire rim. That driver was later arrested outside Prineville.

Webb says it doesn't take much right now for a fire to spread fast, "We have not had a lot of moisture, so humidity levels in our vegetation [are] very dry. Which means if there is any type of ignition or spark, it's easy for a wildfire to start. And if it does start, there are those conditions that we've seen a lot of - hot, dry days, along with wind - which means that we're going to have the potential for fire to move quite quickly." ?And those conditions aren't changing anytime soon, "We're not seeing any relief in the forecast in the near future, as far as fire potential. So we do ask that the public be very cautious."

Webb says everyone is responsible for fire prevention, "Folks need to be checking for restrictions before they head out. They need to be very cautious with trailer chains, make sure nothing is dragging that could cause a spark. And, be mindful of where you're driving or parking." She tells KBND News, "Grass is so dry, and smaller vegetation, right now, that if you're driving over it or parking on top of it with a hot vehicle, those exhaust pipes or sparks could potentially cause wildfires." Under current fire restrictions, driving off developed roads and trails is not allowed on federally managed public lands, unless you're accessing a nearby campsite. Open fires are also not allowed anywhere in the forest right now.