Drought over, but eclipse event will raise fire danger.
John Saltenberger, a fire weather program manager at the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, will make suggestions to the state about what, if any, fire restrictions there should be during August’s solar eclipse.
(KATU Photo) PORTLAND, Ore. — A surge of people coming to Oregon to view the solar eclipse will raise fire danger in the state, a fire forecaster told KATU.
Saltenberger tracks fire conditions.
Wildfires, he said, are caused by a combination of factors, including weather and an ignition source.
According to the National Park Service, 90 percent of wildfires in the United States are caused by humans, from unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes or arson.
Close to a million people are expected to travel to Oregon to witness a rare solar eclipse in August.
“It’s unprecedented,” he said.
Saltenberger makes recommendations to the state on what fire restrictions to make in the state.
In past years, campfires, barbecue fires and fireworks have been banned.