Low snowpack could mean early Oregon wildfire season

BEND, Ore. (AP) — A warm winter and lack of snowpack could mean an earlier start to wildfire season in central Oregon.

Deschutes County forester Ed Keith tells the Bend Bulletin that timber fires typically don't occur until August but they may come in June or July this year.

Where blazes take hold earlier this year may depend on what happens with the weather this spring.

A spokesman for the Oregon Department of Forestry says it doesn't have immediate plans to start staffing for fire season or issue fire restrictions early. But George Ponte, Central Oregon District forester in Prineville, says that could change with the weather.