According to Oregon Department of Forestry wildfire statistics: Prior to 2009, the 10-year average of human-caused wildfires was 748 per year; the average acreage was 12,445, and the average suppression costs were $7.86 million. By the close of the 2009 fire season, while the 10-year averages for wildfires decreased to 734, the 10-year average suppression cost increased to $7.92 million and acres burned increased to 12,625. This certainly reflects the quick responses by ODF suppression crews.

According to wildfire experts, wildfires are now burning so intensely that it will take years for the forests to recover; and due to the effects of these super hot wildfires where the soil has burned leaving nothing but rock, some of the forests may never grow back. As a result, the ecosystem is drastically changed.

2009 human-caused wildFIRES