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Hot Stretch Tests Fire Fighters, But A Reprieve Is Near

Brian Bull
/
KLCC

Dozens of wildfires are actively burning across the Pacific Northwest, including Oregon. Crews are not only battling the fires, but scorching, triple-digit heat and smoke in many areas.

On a dirt road flanking a series of wildfires called the Middle Fork Complex near Oakridge, a water truck crew fills up, before helping firefighters with controlled burns. The idea is to burn up fuels before wildfires can reach them.

“You know, you’re not really going to fight flame in the trees," said Steve McAdoo of the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office.  "It’s gonna burn to a certain point that has been burned out, previously.

"We call that ‘black’ and so they’re gonna let the fire come to the black a lot of times.” 

Since mid-week, fire crews have seen temps reach or exceed the 100 (Fahrenheit) mark.  Beginning this weekend, conditions will cool down a little, though lightning storms are possible.

Copyright 2021, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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