[Prineville, Ore.] Fire Season for lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will terminate at 12:00 p.m., Monday October 24, 2022. This includes lands protected under the John Day Unit, including the Fossil Sub-Unit; the Prineville Unit, including the Sisters Sub-Unit; and The Dalles Unit. Recent rain, combined with cooler fall weather has improved fuel conditions and moderated fire behavior. Changing fall conditions such as dry periods and variable winds can still create circumstances where fire danger is increased, and the public is reminded to use caution in activities such as debris burning and mowing of dried grass. Burning of slash piles or other debris from forest operations or fuels treatment projects will not be permitted until additional precipitation is received. All slash burning from forest operations requires a permit from your local ODF office.
Burning yard debris and the use of
burn barrels may be allowed in some areas, however these fires should be kept
small, and any surrounding fuel should be cleared away to reduce potential
spread. A fire tool, such as a shovel,
and water or a fire extinguisher should be available to help control the fire
if needed. Fires should not be left
unattended, should be DEAD OUT! and cool to the touch when you leave. Check with your local fire district or ODF
office for burning regulations in your area, to see if debris burning is allowed
or not, including restrictions on campfires and recreational fires.
Failure to follow burn permit instructions or burning on days when burning is
not allowed may result in a citation or liability for fire suppression
work.
·
John
Day Unit (Fossil Sub-Unit)—Burning yard debris and burn barrels is allowed. No permit is required from ODF, check with
your local fire department to determine if they require a permit.
·
Prineville
Unit (Sisters Sub-Unit)—A burn permit from ODF or your local fire department is required for
burning yard debris or using a burn barrel.
·
The
Dalles Unit—A burn
permit from ODF or your local fire department is required for burning yard
debris or using a burn barrel.
When
burning it is important to monitor the weather and be prepared for shifting and
erratic winds which may spread fire outside the burn area. Wildfires cause damage to Oregon’s natural
resources, including affecting water, soil and air quality, and local
communities.
Fire
Season in the Central Oregon District began June 27th this year, lasting 120
days. Of the 83 fires reported so far
this year, 38 fires were caused by lightning, burning 118 acres and 45 were related
to human actions, burning 57 acres. The
largest fire in the district was the 278-acre Fly Creek Fire near Lake Billy
Chinook which burned 105 acres of ODF protection land. 97% of the fires burning on ODF protection
were held at less than 10 acres this fire season.
For
additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact
information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.