Drying fuel conditions prompts fire season for Department of Forestry lands in Central Oregon District

May 30, 2018

[Prineville, Ore.]  O Fuel conditions and drier/warmer
long term weather forecasts prompted the declaration.  “Across the District spring has brought
limited rainfall and right now we are seeing fuel conditions drier than they were
at this time last year,” states District Forester Mike Shaw.  “Last week’s rain was really localized, with
very little soaking in due to how quickly it came down in many areas.” 
Fires in mid-May readily burned through dry wildland fuels.

regon Department of
Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District (COD) will enter fire season at 12:01
am on June 1, 2018.

With the
implementation of fire season, logging and other industrial operations must
meet requirements for fire prevention, such as fire tools, water supply, and
watchman service when those operations are occurring on lands protected by
ODF.  In addition to fire season
restrictions Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1 (IFPL) will be in effect for
lands protected by ODF in Hood River and Wasco counties.  Details for fire season and IFPL requirements
are available at www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/pages/FirePrevention.aspx,
or contact your local stewardship forester for more information.
Landowners and
operators should check burn piles/areas which were burned earlier this spring
or late last fall for any hold-over heat. 
Open debris burning, including burn barrels will no longer be allowed on
ODF protected lands in the Prineville and John Day Units.  Burn barrels are allowed by permit in The
Dalles Unit (Hood River and Wasco County lands), however open burning such as
yard debris is prohibited.   
Campfires are
allowed, however please never leave a fire unattended, clear the area around
the campfire including overhead, fully extinguish the fire using the drown,
stir, drown method, and ensure the fire is DEAD OUT before leaving.  The use of tracer ammunition and exploding
targets is prohibited during fire season.  Sky lanterns and other luminaries are
prohibited at all times in Oregon.
In 2017 there were
114 fires in the District burning nearly 2,500 acres, well less than the ten
year average of 11,600 acres. Seventy fires were human caused, up from the ten
year average of 68.  Following fire
season restrictions and prevention tips can reduce fire ignitions, causing less
damage to our natural resources including air, water, and soil. 
For additional
information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and
unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.

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