Fire articles

Prineville, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District is declaring the beginning of fire season on June 2, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. Starting this Monday, the district’s fire danger level will be “Moderate”, and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be I (one) in Hood River and Wasco counties. Earlier this year, fire managers were optimistic regarding this year’s fire season due to the higher-than-normal snowpack. However, due to the decline in spring rain, rise in temperatures, and windy conditions, the fine fuels in the district...

Prineville, ORE. – The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District is seeing an uptick in escaped debris burn piles, with several over the past few weeks burning up to 30 acres in size. For example, a recent 8-acre fire resulted from a week-old burn pile that was assumed to be out cold but rekindled several days later, requiring suppression action by firefighters. Not following burn day instructions, one of which is thoroughly checking the burn piles later when the weather shifts, are the leading causes of these escapes. Central Oregon District...

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – All lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District are now in Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) 3 in MH-1 (portions of Hood River and Wasco counties). With continued high temperatures, winds and drying fuels, the district is issuing public restrictions and regulated use closures in recognition of the increasing fire danger in order to reduce the risk of human-caused fires. The Central Oregon District restricts the following activities: Use of fireworks and blasting is prohibited. No debris burning,...

Mechanized Harvesters with High Speed Rotary Saws Chainsaws Tracked Felling or Skidding Equipment Slash Buster/Mastication Equipment Cable Yarding Systems As authorized under ORS 477.625(1)(a) and OAR 629-043-0026(5), the following precautions are required as a condition of the Permit to Operate Power Driven Machinery within the Central Oregon Forest Protection District of the Oregon Department of Forestry: REQUIRED SHUT DOWN: Except at landings, the use of mechanized harvesters with a high-speed saw, chainsaws, tracked felling or skidding equipment, slash busting...

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Starting Monday, July 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. on all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District, the district’s fire danger level will be “High,” and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be II (two) in MH-1 (portions of Hood River and Wasco counties). With continued high temperatures, winds and drying fuels, the district is issuing public restrictions and regulated use closures in recognition of the increasing fire danger in order to reduce the risk of human-caused fires. With that in mind, the...

Prineville, Ore. – Fire season on all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will begin June 10, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. Starting this Monday, the district’s fire danger level will be “Moderate”, and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be I (one) in MH-4 and MH-1 (Hood River and Wasco County). Earlier this year, fire managers were optimistic regarding this year’s fire season due to the higher-than-normal snowpack. However, due to the decline in spring rain, rise in temperatures, and windy conditions, the fine...

Prineville, Ore. — Due to cooler temperatures and significant rainfall, fire season ends today for the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District. This termination of fire season applies to all ODF-protected lands in the Central Oregon District. Though fire season is over for the district, Oregonians should still check local fire districts to obtain any necessary permits before debris burning. Wasco County’s burn ban is in effect until Oct. 16. “We saw a lot of successes this season thanks to the hard work of our firefighters, the strong...

Prineville, Ore. – Starting this Friday (September 22) at 12:01 a.m., the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will move down to a “Moderate” fire danger level and additional restrictions under Regulated Use Closure will be terminated for all lands protected by the district. In addition, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will change to I (one) for MH-4 in Hood River County (west of Hwy 35) and for MH-1 (east of Hwy 35 in Hood River and Wasco Counties). While conditions have dropped to Moderate fire danger, backyard debris burning...

The Dalles, Ore. – As of Monday, September 4, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. ODF’s The Dalles Unit will be reducing industrial fire precaution level (IFPL) to an IFPL II (two) for MH-1 and MH-4 (Hood River and Wasco County). The Central Oregon District is in High Fire Danger and the burn ban and Regulated Use Closure on ODF-protected lands and all fire districts in Hood River and Wasco County remains in effect. Under IFPL II, the use of fire or power-driven machinery in any operation area is unlawful unless such use is in compliance with the following: Limited Shutdown: The...

Prineville, Ore. – With lightning events forecasted through the weekend, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District is preparing for potential fire activity. In certain parts of the state, the lightning has already begun. In John Day, the local unit responded to four lightning fires that were reported between 4:30 pm and 6pm.  Aggressive initial attack and helpful rain showers caught all four fires at less than 0.1 of an acre. In preparation for the weekend, the district has adjusted schedules and strategically moved engines to make sure there...

Prineville, Ore. – Starting this Thursday (July 20) at 12:01 a.m., additional fire precaution orders will be applied to all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Prineville and John Day Units. In addition, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will change to III (three) for MH-4 in Hood River County (west of Hwy 35). MH-1 went to an IFPL III (three) on July 10th. The district’s fire danger level will also be moving up to “Extreme”. “With high temperatures forecasted, the district is issuing extra fire prevention restrictions to counteract...

STATE OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTION LEVEL 3 CLOSEDOWN ORDER Number 03 Effective 12:01 a.m., PDT, July 10th, 2023 By virtue of the authority vested in me by ORS 477.625, ORS 477.670, and OAR 629-043-0070, I hereby issue notice the following subject area is susceptible to damage by fire and proclaim Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3 to be in effect: All lands protected by the Central Oregon Protection District, in regulated use area MH-1 and all forestland within one-eighth mile thereof. Under Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3, the use...

Sisters, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Central Oregon District has received reports of people setting off fireworks while the district is in high fire danger and in a red flag warning. There has been one confirmed fire caused by a firework as of today, July 1, that ODF firefighters responded to. During “High” fire danger level, fireworks are prohibited on all ODF-protected land in the Central Oregon District. With high temperatures and dry conditions, even a small ember could start a wildfire. The department would like to remind the public to be...

Prineville, Ore. – Starting this Saturday (July 1) at 12:01 a.m. on all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District, the district’s fire danger level will be “High,” and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be II (two) in MH-4 and MH-1 (Hood River and Wasco counties). With high temperatures forecasted, the district is issuing public restrictions and regulated use closures in anticipation for the long holiday weekend to reduce the risk of human-caused fires. With that in mind, the Central Oregon District restricts...

Prineville, Ore. - Oregon Department of Forestry’s John Day Unit will terminate Regulated-Use Closure at 12:01 a.m., Friday, October 14, 2022. These wildfire prevention measures were terminated for The Dalles and Prineville units on October 7th. Fire Season remains in effect across the Central Oregon District. “We caution the public to be mindful of activities which could start a fire as we continue to see unseasonably warm, dry weather this fall,” says Brian Reel, Stewardship Forester for The Dalles Unit. “While fire danger has lessened with cooler nights and...

[Prineville, Ore.] As of 12:01 a.m., Friday, September 16,2022, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District will terminate the additional restrictions fire precaution order for industrial operations within the John Day and Prineville Units.  All other Fire Season restrictions remain in effect for industrial operations.  More information for these restrictions is available at www.oregon.gov/odf. These guidelines are intended to reduce the risk of fire ignition, quickly detect fires, and allow for a swift suppression response. In conjunction with the...

[Prineville, Ore.] Recent cool weather across Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District is not an indication that fire season is over. These cooler temperatures and improved humidity recovery will moderate fire behavior, but significant rain is needed to lessen wildfire risk and lift prevention restrictions or end fire season.  The risk of rapid fire spread in all fuel types remains despite the transition to seasonable fall weather.  Hot, dry conditions this summer fully cured dead and down fuels, and live vegetation had limited moisture, resulting in...