BLM to Address Human-Caused Fires in La Pine Basin

The Bureau of Land Management has announced the mobilization of a National Fire Prevention and Education Team to address human-caused fires in the La Pine Basin. It’s composed of fire prevention specialists from the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service.

Zach Ellinger, the team lead for the fire prevention team, told the Source that in the past five years there have been 138 human caused fires in the La Pine area. That includes campfires, cooking devices, open burning and other causes. Ellinger says this year there have been a dozen human-caused wildfires in the La Pine area. As of July 9, lightning has caused only one fire. He says National Fire Prevention Education Teams are highly trained and efficient at preventing human caused wildfires.

“The La Pine Basin was targeted because of a higher than average, for this time of year, number of human-caused fires. This early start of fires was concerning to fire managers and the community and prompted the BLM to order a fire prevention team,” Ellinger explains.

The team will develop fire prevention messaging; increase awareness by engaging with the La Pine community; initiate positive community involvement; and develop a fire prevention strategy.

“This proactive approach is crucial for safeguarding our communities and natural resources against the risk of wildfires,” Jona Ensley, BLM Assistant Fire Management Officer, said in a news release. “By working closely with local residents and organizations, we can create a culture of prevention that aims to reduces fire risks to communities and infrastructure.”

The La Pine Basin is viewed as the BLM administered lands surrounding the community of La Pine.  (BLM Lands are tan colored on map.) Credit: BLM

The last fire prevention team ordered to this area was in 2021. They were tasked with supporting ongoing prevention efforts and identifying opportunities to enhance local prevention efforts.

The BLM invites community members to share the responsibility of protecting the landscapes in the La Pine Basin. For more information on fire prevention initiatives or to get involved, contact Jona Ensley at jensley@blm.gov.

This article appears in Source Weekly July 3, 2025.