EUGENE, Ore.

The Oregon Department of Forestry battled 584 wildfires, started by people in Oregon last year … 584 too many. Millions of dollars spent, lost structures, forests, and lives, all that could have been prevented.

Matt Mackey is the Wildland Fire Supervisor for ODF’s Western Lane District. He’s been fighting fires for eight years and although he love it, he loves Oregon’s beauty more.  ”I love Oregon, Oregon is beautiful and it’s green. When these fires go it turns everything black it kills all the vegetation around it and turns it really ugly….If we can keep Oregon Green, keep Oregon fire safe it’s going to maintain it that way.”

Some wildfires are unavoidable. When lightning strikes, there’s nothing to do but attack it. But out of control burn piles, campfires, cigarette butts, or even a spark from a lawn mower are always avoidable with just a little extra care.  Mackey says, “They’ll light their piles, leave, and all of a sudden the wind will pick up and the next thing they know, their field is on fire or the fire has spread to other areas of their property, getting trees on fire.”

Oregon summers are hot and this year, we’ve already seen temperatures rising and humidity dropping. Despite recent rainfall, forests and grasses are still extremely dry. And the National Interagency Fire Center is predicting a greater potential for large fires earlier in June. That means extra precautions are needed. “Take consideration of the conditions and not the calendar date” Mackey says.

As long as there are no specific burn bans in place, camp fires are allowed all summer, but only in certain areas. Mackey says “just because you have a rock pit, next to a river, doesn’t mean it’s safe. You have to go to designated areas which are provided by the Bureau of Land Management or the park areas as well.”

If you’re planning a campfire on your own property, the ODF is more than happy to comeo ut and make sure you’re in a safe spot. An area that is wide open and free from overhead trees and other fuels. “When you’re starting a fire, whether it be a campfire or a burn pile, you want to make sure that you have the necessary tools to put that fire out. You always want to have a shovel and enough water to completely extinguish the fire” explains Mackey.

After picking the site and knowing how you’ll put it out, Matt says the next step is keeping it under control.  ”When you’re making a campfire, make sure you’re keeping it small, you’re keeping it controlled, making sure you’re not using too big of fuels that can get carried away and also make sure when you’re going to bed at night, make sure it’s out, you know a lot of people want to keep the fire going throughout the night, well when you’re sleeping you have no control of what that fire is doing.”

Maintaining control of your fire is key, and doing so will keep you safe, protect the building and land around you and your pocket book free from hefty fines. Mackey says “The biggest thing is just use common sense and use real extreme caution. Don’t go out there lighting fireworks off in the middle of August.”

Wednesday’s Weather Discussion from Chief Meteorologist Justin Stapleton 

Showers again slowly taperin goff by late evening with a few stragglers left into the overnight hours, most of the region will cloud up again with the ground moisture and lows will make things feel chilly and damp, into the low 40s.

Tomorrow more wet weather is expected as the low continues to sit and rotate smaller batches of showers across Western Oregon. I’m expecting the coverage to be less than the past two days, with some occasional sun breaks by late afternoon. Highs also just a bit warmer, back into the mid to upper 50s. Friday we’ll finally start to see the end (briefly) of the steady shower stream as the low unwinds  and sends most of the shower north. Driest day for the holiday weekend looks to be Saturday with highs back in the mid 60s.

That’s the end of the dry weather as the next storm swings across on Sunday afternoon and into Monday. So plan for some rain gear if you are headed to the Ducks Softball Super Regional games, or the Memorial Day parades.

Have a great Thursday!

- Chief Meteorologist Justin Stapleton

Come chat with me on Facebook and Twitter.

Also, do you have a question for the weather team? You can “Ask The Meteorologist”! I’ll be answering YOUR questions Wednesday night at 6. Click here to submit your question: Ask The Meteorologist 

Tuesday’s Weather Discussion from Chief Meteorologist Justin Stapleton 

With today’s rain total of .49″ by late afternoon, we saw almost twice as much rain as we’ve seen all month to this date! Showers will still move in on and off throughout the rest of the night  but they’ll be more isolated before the next wave on Wednesday. Lows tonight will hold in the mid to low 40s but it’ll feel chillier with the damp ground.

The low will again sling smaller storms around its center (which is basically on top of Portland tonight) which will bring the next heavy wave of rain by Wednesday morning into early afternoon. The refrigerated nature of the center of the storm itself will keep a chilly dome of air right on top of the NW. I’m expecting to see another good round of snow showers in the mountains with snow levels falling down to 3000 feet.  Travelers heading over the mountains should prepare for accumulating snow and wintry conditions midweek. Approximately 2-4 inches of new snow will fall at Pass level.

Highs will struggle again to get back into the mid 50s tomorrow, although we’ll see a slow return to the low 60s by Friday. Heavy rain will taper off to scattered showers by Thursday and pretty much wrap up by Friday.  By the weekend, the low finally unwinds some and most showers move east and south. Temperatures should slowly rebound back into the mid to upper 60s and a mix of clouds and sun for the holiday weekend. Memorial Day also appears to stay partially dry for the morning and afternoon.

Have a great Wednesday!

- Chief Meteorologist Justin Stapleton

Come chat with me on Facebook and Twitter.

Also, do you have a question for the weather team? You can “Ask The Meteorologist”! I’ll be answering YOUR questions Wednesday night at 6. Click here to submit your question: Ask The Meteorologist 

Tuesday’s Weather Discussion from Meteorologist Melissa Frey:

What a spring! We had 23 days with no rain, day after day of above average temperatures and just .28″ of rainfall for the month of May. This week is going to look quite a bit different!

An area of low pressure is moving in Tuesday, and will stay through Friday. The center of this storm will stay centered pretty much over the Pacific Northwest all week, this will act like the center of a wheel, which will rotate smaller storms, like spokes, through western Oregon. At times these waves will bring rather strong rain showers, hail showers and much cooler air. We could also see thunderstorms firing up this afternoon.

High temperatures will drop about 20 degrees for much of western Oregon Tuesday. The valley will only make it to the low to mid 50s mid week. The freezing level will drop to about 3,000 feet late Tuesday and will stay below the passes through Thursday. This means snow is on the way for the Cascades passes and ski resorts!

By Friday night most of this storm will be wrapped up, but we may see a second storm moving in Sunday. At this point Memorial Day Weekend is at least looking warmer, with highs in the upper 60s and low 70s.

Have a great day!

-Meteorologist Melissa Frey

Drop by a note on Facebook and Twitter! I love to see your weather photos and hear what the weather is like in your area.

Do you have a weather question you’ve always wanted to ask a meteorologist? Now’s your chance! Submit your questions here, and I’ll answer them on-air Thursday morning.

Monday’s Weather Discussion from Chief Meteorologist Justin Stapleton 

A great start to the work week with sunshine, mid 70s and dry weather. Hope you got a chance to get outside in it today because it all changes starting tomorrow! We’ll see a major shift back to a cooler, wetter forecast for the remainder of the week. Tonight, the leading edge of the storm will send clouds inland and showers developing in the early morning hours. Most folks will likely see some shower activity for Tuesday morning’s commute.

A cold low pressure center is sitting off the coastline and over the next couple of days, will slowly move inland and basically sit and spin around the Northwest from Tuesday through Friday morning. The storm originated from the Gulf of Alaska so it’s fairly cold and one of the reasons why highs will be dramatically colder, some 20 degree temperature drop from the 70s Monday to mid to low 50s tomorrow and Wednesday. The storm will bring showers, few sun breaks, small hail at times, and eventually fresh snow in the mountains. In fact, snow levels will drop below the passes late Tuesday down to around 3000 feet! Travelers heading over the mountains should prepare for accumulating snow and wintry conditions midweek.

By the weekend, the low finally unwinds some and most showers move east and south. Temperatures should slowly rebound back into the mid to upper 60s and a mix of clouds and sun for the holiday weekend. Memorial Day also appears to stay dry.

It’ll be nice to get back some much needed rain but a stark contrast to the early summer-like weather we’ve seen most of the month!

Have a great Tuesday!

- Chief Meteorologist Justin Stapleton

Come chat with me on Facebook and Twitter.

Also, do you have a question for the weather team? You can “Ask The Meteorologist”! I’ll be answering YOUR questions Wednesday night at 6. Click here to submit your question: Ask The Meteorologist 

Monday’s Weather Discussion from Meteorologist Melissa Frey:

After a split weekend, Monday is shaping up to be dry, mostly sunny (after morning fog) and warm. High should get back to the mid 70s for the valley, upper 70s for the Umpqua Basin and low 60s for the Coast. Enjoy today though, because much cooler and wetter weather is on the way!

An area of low pressure will move in Tuesday, and stay through Friday. The center of this storm will stay centered pretty much over the Pacific Northwest all week, this will act like the center of a wheel, which will rotate smaller storms. like spokes, through western Oregon. At times these waves will bring rather strong rain showers, hail showers and much cooler air.

High temperatures will drop about 20 degrees for much of western Oregon Tuesday. The valley will only make it to the low to mid 50s mid week. The freezing level will drop to about 3,000 feet late Tuesday and will stay below the passes through Thursday. This means snow is on the way for the Cascades passes and ski resorts!

By Friday night most of this storm will be wrapped up and we’ll seeing drying conditions just in time for Memorial Day Weekend.

Have a great Monday!

-Meteorologist Melissa Frey

Drop by a note on Facebook and Twitter! I love to see your weather photos and hear what the weather is like in your area.

Do you have a weather question you’ve always wanted to ask a meteorologist? Now’s your chance! Submit your questions here, and I’ll answer them on-air Thursday morning.

METEOROLOGIST MARISA WOLOSZYN’S FORECAST DISCUSSION: 

It was a cloudy start to Sunday, but the skies finally broke by the afternoon. Temperatures climbed into the mid 60s inland and upper 50s along the coast.

High pressure will be in control Monday; this means mostly clear skies and high temperatures climbing into the mid 70s inland, low 60s along the coast.

A large low pressure system will move in Tuesday afternoon and spin just of the coast during the rest of the weak. This storm will be like most winter storms; it will bring scattered showers across the area, snow showers above 3,000 feet, gusty winds and colder temperatures. High temps will fall well below average in the mid to upper 50s Tuesday and Wednesday. It’s not out of the question to see a few thunderstorms as well, as the center of the low sit along the coast.

The storm looks to move out of our area by early Saturday.

Have a wonderful!
Meteorologist Marisa Woloszyn

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METEOROLOGIST MARISA WOLOSZYN’S FORECAST DISCUSSION: 

Few showers will continue Saturday evening but wrap up around midnight. Clouds and fog will start Sunday morning, but burn off through the morning. Mostly sunny skies will close the weekend with high temps in the mid to upper 60s inland, upper 50s along the coast.

High pressure will be in control Monday; this means skies will be mostly clear and high temps will climb just above average, low 70s inland, low 60s along the coast.

A large low pressure system will move in Tuesday afternoon and spin just of the coast through the rest of the weak. This storm will be like most winter storms; it will bring scattered showers across the area, snow showers above 3,000 feet, gusty winds and colder temperatures. High temps will fall well below average in the mid to upper 50s Tuesday and Wednesday.

The storm looks to move out of our area by Saturday.

Have a super Sunday!
Meteorologist Marisa Woloszyn

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Friday’s Weather Discussion from Chief Meteorologist Justin Stapleton 

I’m expecting a quiet night overall with some good breaks in the clouds and mostly dry skies with the occasional exception of a passing sprinkle or some enhanced mist at times along the coast. Overnight lows will fall slowly into the upper 40s for early Saturday.

Saturday, the next front will bring scattered showers and periods of steady rain mainly in the early afternoon. Rainfall totals look to be around .10″- .25″ inland, higher at the coast and in the mountains. Cloudy skies with some sun breaks by late afternoon and a few degrees cooler with highs back down in the low 60s. If you’re headed to either the Ducks softball games or game 2 of the Civil War in baseball, keep the rain coat handy. Sunday and Monday, drier weather is on tap as high pressure moves in offshore behind tomorrow’s front. I do expect low clouds to hang tough for most of Sunday morning, but should see some afternoon sunshine. A great sunny day Monday with highs back into the upper 60s and low 70s.

After that, a stronger storm will spill in from the Gulf of Alaska for Tuesday through Thursday. It’ll be a chilly one with a few days of rain showers, cool temps back down into the mid 50s AND a chance to drop snow levels back below the passes! It’s nice to get some much needed rain for a few days but it’ll be a stark contrast to the early summer-like spoiler weather we’ve seen most of the month.

Have a great weekend!

- Chief Meteorologist Justin Stapleton

Come chat with me on Facebook and Twitter.

Also, do you have a question for the weather team? You can “Ask The Meteorologist”! I’ll be answering YOUR questions Wednesday night at 6. Click here to submit your question: Ask The Meteorologist 

Friday’s Weather Discussion from Meteorologist Melissa Frey: 

Happy Friday! We’re going to get a break from the steady rain today as we’re in between storms. Still at least partly cloudy and a shower or two may pop up this afternoon, but for the most part, drier, sunnier and warmer than yesterday. Highs will be in the mid 60s

A cold front is tracking to move in Saturday. This will bring showers Saturday morning which will stay through Saturday evening. Highs will stay in the low 60s.

Sunday and Monday are both looking dry as a weak ridge of high pressure develops over western Oregon and gives us a break from the rain. You can expect a bit more sunshine and highs in the mid to upper 60s.

The next series of storms drop in from the north Tuesday and stay through Thursday. This will bring in another round of rain and cooler air. Highs will likely fall to the upper 50s and low 60s.

Have a great weekend!

-Meteorologist Melissa Frey

Drop by a note on Facebook and Twitter! I love to see your weather photos and hear what the weather is like in your area.

Do you have a weather question you’ve always wanted to ask a meteorologist? Now’s your chance! Submit your questions here, and I’ll answer them on-air Thursday morning.