Scattered thunderstorms create multiple wildfires in southeastern Oregon

LAKEVIEW, Ore. — Scattered thunderstorms across Lake and Klamath Counties produced more than 1,500 lightning strikes Wednesday night, reports the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership.

Firefighters have currently identified ten fires from the lightning activity. SCOFMP says that all of the fires are less than 1/10th of an acre, and firefighting crews are on-scene. They are located in the following places:

• Fremont-Winema National Forest – two confirmed fires
• Bureau of Land Management – four confirmed fires
• Oregon Department of Forestry – four confirmed fires

More thunderstorms are expected to return today through this evening. The fire management partnership says that it can take several days for smoke to become visible from a lightning-caused wildfire - moisture in the air and various types of vegetation on the ground both play a factor in the burn. Firefighters refer to these fires as "holdovers."

It's possible fire crews will be responding to new starts and holdovers throughout the weekend, going into next week, estimates SCOFMP.

Residents and visitors to the Lake and Klamath County areas can report suspected wildfires by calling Lakeview Interagency Fire Center at 541-947-6315.