Lightning ignites clusters of mostly small fires in Willamette National Forest

U.S. Forest Service crews are working on 17 fires in the Willamette National Forest, sparked by lightning earlier this week. Most are burning in remote, high-elevation locations along the Cascade crest.

More than 750 lightning strikes hit the forest during thunderstorms Wednesday, July 15, according to the Forest Service.

Of the 17 fires, 11 are burning in Lane County. About half are near Highway 126 by McKenzie Bridge, and the rest are near Highway 58 between Oakridge and Diamond Peak.

All the fires were being kept small — the largest less than 2 acres, in the Middle Fork Ranger District.

Crews now have engines, bulldozers, smokejumpers and helicopters on the fires. Fire officials expect more “holdover” fires to show up in the coming days. Those are fires sparked by lightning that smolder unseen before flaring up — especially as warmer, dry weather returns.

Lane County moved into “high fire danger” as of Friday, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Fire danger levels are based on conditions, including how much moisture trees, grass and other brush have and how hot they would burn if they caught fire. Fuels in the area have dried out significantly over the past two weeks, and forecasts show conditions pushing further into extreme fire-danger territory by late July.

Elevated winds this weekend aren’t expected to raise any significant fire weather concerns, according to the National Weather Service, but officials are still urging people to practice fire safety, especially near dry vegetation.