Fire Season Declared for ODF Protection in Central Oregon

May 28, 2020

[Prineville, Ore.]  Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central
Oregon District will enter Fire Season June 1, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.   This affects private, county, state, and
local government lands within the District Boundary.  Summer weather patterns continue to dry
wildland fuels and increase the risk for fire spread, these weather patterns
also bring the risk of lightning and increase fire activity in the area.  Fire season declaration is intended to reduce
human fire starts by restricting some activities related to forest operations
and open burning.
“When the District
enters fire season it highlights the change of wildland fuel and weather
patterns”, explains Rob Pentzer, Acting District Forester.  “It is an indicator to our landowners,
operators, and the public that we are trending toward warm, dry weather and we need
to change our actions to reduce any potential starts and prevent fires when we
can.”
The fire season
declaration restricts the use of tracer ammunition and exploding targets within
the District, as well as the use of blasting materials.  Smoking while working or traveling through
forest operations is also prohibited. 
Luminaries (sky lanterns) are always prohibited in Oregon.
All open burning
within the Central Oregon District Protection Boundary requires a permit during
fire season.  Landowners who burned earlier
this spring should check their piles to ensure there is no heat or flames, recent
warm temperatures can rekindle these burns if any fire remains.  When checking piles use a shovel to stir the
ashes and feel below the surface for heat. 
Use water and dirt to extinguish any remaining heat.  Check for local restrictions regarding open
burning, as some local governments and fire departments have implemented
additional burn bans.
These restrictions do
not apply to campfires, however following safe burning practices will decrease
the risk of fire spread.  Always make
sure your campfire is DEADOUT! before leaving the area and never leave a fire
unattended.
In addition to the
fire season declaration Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1 will be in effect
for regulated use areas MH-1 and MH-4 (Wasco and Hood River counties).  All forest operations should have appropriate
fire equipment and perform a fire watch, details for these rules are available
at  www.oregon.gov/odf/Fire/Documents/2019%20Fire%20Season%20Requirements.pdf.  Stewardship Foresters from local units within
Central Oregon District can provide additional guidance as needed. 
ODF’s Central Oregon
District continues to serve landowners and the public as an essential service
for Oregonians.  Please call or email to
talk with our staff or schedule an appointment. 
For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including
contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.

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