Fire articles

[Prineville, Ore]  Recent cool temperatures and precipitation have brought an end to the 2019 fire season for Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District.  At 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2019 fire season will officially be terminated.  Wildland fuels across the District do not pose a significant risk of rapid fire growth, however weather and fuel conditions during the fall can change quickly.  The public is reminded to follow all local burning restrictions to reduce the risk of escaped debris burns. “We still want...

[Prineville, Ore]  Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has terminated Regulated-Use Closure for lands within the Central Oregon District (COD) effective 12:01 a.m.  September 16, 2019.  Lands affected include private, county, and municipal ownership inside the Central Oregon District Protection Boundary within the following counties:  Wasco, Hood River, Wheeler, Sherman, Umatilla, Grant, Harney, Morrow, Gilliam, Jefferson, Lake, Crook, and Deschutes.  While campfires will be allowed with owner permission inside the District, Rob Pentzer,...

[Prineville, Ore]  Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is reducing fire prevention restrictions for lands within the Central Oregon District beginning at 12:01 a.m. on September 5, 2019.  Lands affected include private, county, and municipal lands inside the Central Oregon District Protection Boundary within the following counties:  Wasco, Hood River, Wheeler, Sherman, Umatilla, Grant, Harney, Gilliam, Jefferson, Lake, Crook, and Deschutes.  The lessened restrictions reflect a reduced potential for large fire growth based on...

[Prineville, Ore]  Fire season remains in effect for lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District despite recent rains and cooler temperatures.  A Regulated Use Closure restricting activities with an increased risk of ignition is also in effect for the District.  Rain from earlier this week has not reduced the risk of large fire growth.  Fire managers continue to monitor fuels and evaluate conditions for fire danger.  “While we haven’t seen the wildfire activity in central Oregon like we have in recent years, we...

[Prineville, Ore]  Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District will be increasing restrictions to reduce human caused wildfires at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2019.  Private, state, and municipally owned lands protected by the Central Oregon District in the following counties are affected by these restrictions:  Hood River, Wasco, Gilliam, Wheeler, Grant, Umatilla, Harney, Lake, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, and Morrow.  The increased restrictions are being implemented based on current fuel conditions and...

[Prineville, Ore.] Regulated Use closure has been declared for Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday June 29, 2019.  The closure is intended to reduce wildfires related to high risk activities as wildland fuels dry out.  Lands included in this closure include private, municipal and state owned lands protected by the Central Oregon District, in the following counties:  Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Grant, Wheeler, Morrow, Gilliam, Hood River, Lake, Harney, Umatilla, and Wasco. Activities below are...

Information from our partners: CONTACT:    Matt Smith Fire Chief, Crook County Fire & Rescue Chair, Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association 541-447-5011 The Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association (COFCA) announces the date of closing for residential and private lands open debris burning across the tri-county region in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties. Burning debris piles on private lands in much of central Oregon will not be allowed at sunset on May 31 this year as the area heads into the summer wildland fire season. Please check with your local...

[La Pine, Ore.]  Today firefighters completed mop-up on the Bridge Drive Fire located in the Lazy River Sub-Division north of LaPine, Oregon.  The fire was reported at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8th burning in small Ponderosa Pine, brush and grass.  Warm temperatures, low humidity, and dry fuel conditions caused the fire to quickly grow within a few hours to 11.9 acres before firefighters were able to control the spread.  The cause of the fire was determined to be a backyard debris burn.  Firefighters will continue to patrol the fire area...

[La Pine, Ore.]  Mop-up continues today on the ~12 acres Bridge Drive Fire located north of La Pine in the Lazy River sub-division.  Firefighters are working within the perimeter to extinguish areas of heat and look for burning and smoldering material.  The fire is located with the urban interface with several homes inside the fire perimeter.  Overnight the firelines held and this morning mop-up is 20% complete.  One primary residence was destroyed by the fire yesterday afternoon.  Today’s resources include the Redmond Hot Shots, seven...

[La Pine, Ore.]  Firefighters were dispatched around 2:30 p.m. today to a wildfire burning just north of La Pine, on private land in the Lazy River Sub-division.  The fire burned through small timber, brush and grass.  Observed fire behavior included single tree and group tree torching as well as the fire spotting ahead, causing rapid fire growth.  The fire was caught early this evening, using dozers and roads as firelines.  Firefighters continue to work mopping-up areas of heat and flame inside the fireline to limit potential of fire moving...

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING             Pursuant to ORS 477.250, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held to receive from any interested persons suggestions, advice, objections or remonstrance’s to the proposed budget for the Central Oregon Forest Protection District.  A hearing will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2019, at 1:00 P.M., at the Oregon Department of Forestry – District Office, 3501 NE 3rd Street, Prineville, OR. Copies of the tentative budget may be inspected during normal...

[Prineville, Ore.] – The Central Oregon District of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will terminate fire season as of 12:01 a.m., Friday, October 12, 2018.  Continued cool moist weather over the last few weeks has significantly reduced the fire danger within the Central Oregon District.  Fuel conditions in Central Oregon are heavily influenced by weather patterns, and while the risk is diminished erratic winds and lack of precipitation can quickly cause a rise in fire danger.  Monitoring weather forecasts, following prevention tips such as...

[Prineville, Ore.] – Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District will terminate the Regulated Use Closure in effect for lands within the District at 12:01 a.m. on October 9, 2018.  Cooler fall weather combined with precipitation over the weekend has reduced the need for these restrictions.  Fire Season remains in effect for the District.  While the risk of ignitions from certain activities is diminished there is still the potential for fires to start or become out of control based on current fuel conditions.  Campfires/warming fires...

[Prineville, Ore.] – Regulated Closure restrictions on lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District will be reduced as of 12:01 a.m. on September 12, 2018.  These restrictions are intended to limit human caused fires, which represent nearly 60% of the fires in the District this year.  Fuel conditions are still very dry for this time of year and have the potential for rapid fire growth as recent fires have exhibited.  Cooler temperatures, increased humidity, and shorter days have significant influence on fire behavior...

As a cooperative effort between The Oregon Department of Forestry, and local fire agencies within Hood River and Wasco Counties, the Burn Ban in Wasco county and the modified Burn Ban in Hood River county will be lifted as of 1:00 am on October 14th 2017.  This applies to burn barrels and small back yard piles.  At this time large industrial piles or fuels treatment project piles are not being allowed.  Burning permits are still required for all outdoor burning activities.  Make sure you have a valid permit from either the Oregon Department...

[Prineville, Ore.]  Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District terminated fire season at 12:01 a.m. on October 16, 2017.  Recent weather patterns combined with shorter days and cooler nights have reduced the risk of large fire growth.  “Under these conditions fuels won’t be able to dry out enough to be a significant hazard and they no longer warrant the need for us to be in fire season,” says District Forester Mike Shaw. Termination of fire season brings an increase in outdoor burning from activities such as fuel reduction, yard debris...

[Prineville, Ore.]  Over the last few weeks cooler temperatures and increased precipitation has reduced the fire danger throughout lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in central Oregon.  As a result of this reduced fire danger the Regulated Closure in ODF’s Central Oregon District terminates at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, October 3, 2017.  These restrictions were in place to limit human caused fires during high fire danger when rapid fire growth may occur.  While fire danger is reduced the potential for fires to burn uncontrolled...

[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...

[Prineville, Ore.] Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on August 3, 2017 Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District will increase restrictions intended to reduce human caused fires.  Hot dry temperatures throughout central Oregon have dried fuels to record levels, making new fire starts difficult to control.  Over the last week fires across the region have challenged firefighters and strained resources.  “We are looking to reduce the potential of any new fires on the landscape,” explains District Forester Mike Shaw, “we strongly encourage you to...

[Prineville, Ore.] Regulated Closure restrictions will take effect Friday, June 30, 2017 at 12:01 a.m. for lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in central Oregon. These lands include private, municipal and state lands protected by the Central Oregon District. Warm summer temperatures over the last few weeks have dried forest fuels, increasing fire behavior and the potential for rapid fire growth throughout the District. Recent lightning activity has kept firefighters busy, but of greater concern is the increase in human caused fires in the last week....

[Prineville, Ore.]  Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District (COD) is implementing fire season at 12:01 am on June 7, 2017.  Good winter snowpack delayed the on-set of fire season compared to recent years, however limited spring precipitation and seasonable temperatures have dried wildland fuels.  Adam Barnes, Prineville Assistant Unit Forester explains, “Following a relatively dry May we are seeing fires becoming resistant to control efforts and requiring additional resources to contain.”  Larger fuels are less susceptible to...