вЂњIf a site does allow for a campfire, people need to build them in identified rings or fire pits and make sure the fire is fully out - drown, stir, and repeat until ashes are cool to the touch - before they leave.вЂќ Confirm sites are open before getting in the car вЂњAs we move further into fire season, campfire bans and restrictions will likely be in place, and these need to be observed to avoid starting new wildfires,вЂќ ODF Public Affairs Specialist Jason Cox said. The agency offers a searchable map of public fire restrictions on its website.

With more than half of the state under extreme drought conditions, the Oregon Department of Forestry said the number one precaution recreationists can take this summer is to follow posted fire restrictions. вЂњKnow before you go may seem like obvious advice, but it makes a big difference when it comes to staying safe,' he said. He added that every search and rescue mission takes away resources from the next rescue. People need to respect these closures and stay out.вЂќ вЂњOthers havenвЂ™t been maintained for the last two years due to the pandemic. вЂњMany of the trails and parks people are familiar with are closed from wildfire or flood damages or from recent weather including high mountain snow,вЂќ he said. Lucas stressed the importance of checking the basics like weather and road conditions, packing the proper gear, and confirming the destination is open before heading out. 'They might take an unmarked trail or get disoriented, and they could be lost for days.вЂќ вЂњIn the summer months, we find people who set out for a hike wearing flip flops and shorts and carrying no water,' he said. State Search and Rescue coordinator Scott Lucas emphasized the need for people to be prepared and equipped before they head outdoors. Tips to stay safe Have a good plan before heading out Anyone overcome by heat should move to a cool and shaded location and in the case of heat stroke should call 911. It also suggests taking frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.

The advisory asks that residents take extra precautions if they work or spend time outside, and to reschedule strenuous activities to the early morning or evening if possible. Those include two kayakers who died on the Long Tom River south of Monroe in late April, a canoer who was found in the Willamette River in Eugene in early May, and a 19-year-old whose body was recovered from Dexter Reservoir. This spring, four people died in rivers and lakes in the south Willamette Valley before search and rescue teams found their bodies. It has already been a deadly year for water-related deaths in the area. The advisory notes that river temperatures in the 50s вЂњcan easily result in cold water shock that can kill in minutes.вЂќ вЂњIf they suddenly go into muscle shock and canвЂ™t move, it can be the difference between having their life saved or not.вЂќ вЂњHaving a life vest can seem like itвЂ™s overkill, but in reality with the way river temperatures are, it can save someone who seems perfectly healthy and capable of swimming,вЂќ Neuman said.

With a higher amount of snowmelt, rivers are colder and running higher than they have in several years, Newman said, adding itвЂ™s important to wear a life jacket to prevent drowning in the case of cold water shock. The NWS is asking residents to be cautious if they are floating or swimming on rivers, which will be much colder than the air temperatures.

Res affectus and mores