What are the main causes of wildfires?
About two-thirds of Oregon’s wildfires are caused by people and one-third by lightning. At one time, forest operators were responsible for the majority of human-caused fires. But that has changed. Logging technology and methods have improved, sharply reducing the number of operator-caused fires. At the same time our population has grown, with more and more Oregonians living in or near the forest and recreating there. As a result, the public now accounts for half or more of all human-caused fires. Common causes include debris burns, gas-powered equipment use, campfires, off-road vehicle use and smoking. Practicing fire safety in the woods is crucial to prevent large fires that can damage the forest, destroy homes and even take lives.
