[Prineville,
Ore.] Cooler and wetter weather across most of central Oregon has
reduced the wildland fire danger allowing Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF)
Central Oregon District (COD) to modify the current fire prevention
restrictions. Campfires will still only
be allowed at designated locations, primarily at local state parks. However, use of chainsaws, mowing of dried
grass, and welding/cutting of metal will be allowed between the hours of 8 p.m.
and 1 p.m. All other rules remain the
same for these activities including on-site firefighting tools and fire watch
as required. These restrictions are
intended to reduce human caused fires.
Changes to the restrictions took effect at 12:01 a.m., September 19,
2017. More information regarding the
specific restrictions can be found at www.odfcentraloregon.com.
Ore.] Cooler and wetter weather across most of central Oregon has
reduced the wildland fire danger allowing Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF)
Central Oregon District (COD) to modify the current fire prevention
restrictions. Campfires will still only
be allowed at designated locations, primarily at local state parks. However, use of chainsaws, mowing of dried
grass, and welding/cutting of metal will be allowed between the hours of 8 p.m.
and 1 p.m. All other rules remain the
same for these activities including on-site firefighting tools and fire watch
as required. These restrictions are
intended to reduce human caused fires.
Changes to the restrictions took effect at 12:01 a.m., September 19,
2017. More information regarding the
specific restrictions can be found at www.odfcentraloregon.com.
In addition to the Regulated Closure
changes the District is modifying current restrictions for industrial
activities in the forest. For lands in
MH-1 and MH-4 in Hood River and Wasco counties the Industrial Fire Precaution
Level (IFPL) has been reduced to Level 2.
Requirements for industrial operators and a map of this area can be
found at https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/ifpl.html. In the John Day and Prineville units the
Additional Restrictions Order has been rescinded. Fire season restrictions are still in place
in COD, including requirements for hand tools, fire watch, equipment standards,
and water supply. Smoking is not allowed
while working or traveling in an operation area.
changes the District is modifying current restrictions for industrial
activities in the forest. For lands in
MH-1 and MH-4 in Hood River and Wasco counties the Industrial Fire Precaution
Level (IFPL) has been reduced to Level 2.
Requirements for industrial operators and a map of this area can be
found at https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/ifpl.html. In the John Day and Prineville units the
Additional Restrictions Order has been rescinded. Fire season restrictions are still in place
in COD, including requirements for hand tools, fire watch, equipment standards,
and water supply. Smoking is not allowed
while working or traveling in an operation area.
Open burning, including campfires,
warming fires, burning yard debris, and slash burning from logging is prohibited
on lands protected by ODF in central Oregon.
Following a long dry fire season this cooler, wet weather may seem like an
indicator of the end of fire season, however the recent record fuel conditions prior
to this weather pattern requires significant wetting rain to reduce the danger
of fires. The risk of rapid large fire
growth has diminished, but the potential for fires to burn in the wildland fuels
remain.
warming fires, burning yard debris, and slash burning from logging is prohibited
on lands protected by ODF in central Oregon.
Following a long dry fire season this cooler, wet weather may seem like an
indicator of the end of fire season, however the recent record fuel conditions prior
to this weather pattern requires significant wetting rain to reduce the danger
of fires. The risk of rapid large fire
growth has diminished, but the potential for fires to burn in the wildland fuels
remain.
The public is also reminded that the use
of tracer ammunition or exploding targets is illegal within the District during
fire season. As of January 1, 2017 sky
lanterns and other luminaries are prohibited in Oregon.
of tracer ammunition or exploding targets is illegal within the District during
fire season. As of January 1, 2017 sky
lanterns and other luminaries are prohibited in Oregon.
Landowners, local agencies, and land
managers may have additional restrictions in place, always check to be certain
you are in compliance. Federal land
public use restrictions are available at local National Forest offices, or on
their websites.
managers may have additional restrictions in place, always check to be certain
you are in compliance. Federal land
public use restrictions are available at local National Forest offices, or on
their websites.
Year to date for 2017 human caused fires have
accounted for 57% of the fires in the Central Oregon District, an increase of
nearly 10% over the District’s ten year average. Following Regulated Closure restrictions can reduce
ignitions and limit damage to our natural resources including air, water, and
soil. For additional information on
ODF’s Central Oregon District, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
accounted for 57% of the fires in the Central Oregon District, an increase of
nearly 10% over the District’s ten year average. Following Regulated Closure restrictions can reduce
ignitions and limit damage to our natural resources including air, water, and
soil. For additional information on
ODF’s Central Oregon District, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.