The Dalles, Prineville and Sisters offices are closed today, Jan. 19 for inclement weather. Please visit the latest closures page before visiting a state office.
The Dalles, Prineville and Sisters office closed Friday, Jan. 19
read more
News releases articles
UPDATE: Jefferson County Forestland Classification Committee Meeting
View the Jan. 8, 2024, hearing video. There has been a small change to the Jefferson County FLC meeting, The public meeting will still be held on Dec. 28, however the Public Hearing will now be held on Jan. 8 in order to ensure enough time for proper notification. See the meeting details below. December 28, 5:30 pm - Public Meeting Jefferson County Board Room 66 SE D Street Suite C Madras, Oregon 97741 Join Zoom Meeting https://odf.zoom.us/j/93035934438 Meeting ID: 930 3593 4438 Dial by your location +1 253 205 0468 US +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) January 8, 4:00 pm -...
Jefferson County Forestland Classification Committee meets Dec. 28
Reminder that the upcoming Jefferson County Forestland Classification Committee meeting has been moved to Dec. 28, 2023. Please see the in person and online details below. Dec. 28, 5:30 p.m. Public Meeting Jefferson County Board Room 66 SE D Street Suite C Madras, Oregon 97741 Join Zoom Meeting https://odf.zoom.us/j/93035934438 Meeting ID: 930 3593 4438 Dial by your location • +1 253 205 0468 US • +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Fire season ends in ODF Central Oregon District
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...
Wasco County debris burn ban being lifted on Oct. 16
With the recent and forecasted cool wet weather, local Fire Districts, Wasco County, and Oregon Department of Forestry have agreed to lift the seasonal burn ban on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. This will allow for burning in barrels and of small debris piles. Larger slash pile burning is not included in this lifting of the ban. Escaped debris burns remain a leading cause of destructive fires on private lands. ODF Fire Managers and the Wasco County Fire Chiefs remind residents that they need to check with local fire districts to ensure that burning is...
Jefferson County Forestland Classification Committee meets Oct. 5
The meeting is open to the public, with an opportunity to address the committee regarding forestland classification during the meeting. DATE: October 5, 2023 TIME: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. LOCATION: Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Conference Room (66 SE D Street, Madras, Ore.) Virtual Meeting Link: https://odf.zoom.us/j/93674426689 1-719-359-4580 Meeting ID: 936 7442 6689 The purpose of this meeting is to continue review and update of the Jefferson County Forestland Classification. This review determines lands that may be classified as “Forestland” (ORS...
Central Oregon District moves down to moderate fire danger
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...
Juniper Creek Fire cause release; A reminder on wildfire prevention
Sisters, Ore. – Preliminary findings in the Juniper Creek Fire investigation indicate that the fire cause was consistent with target shooting. The Juniper Creek Fire started August 20, 2023, and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) contained it at 106 acres. The responsible party took several safety precautions while shooting on their property. Nevertheless, a bullet fragment appears to have ignited the fire. With how dry the conditions were, the fuels were extremely receptive to ignition sources. As soon as the fire was noticed, it was reported to 911. “This is...
IFPL reduced in ODF Central Oregon District
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...
Crews achieve 75% containment on Juniper Creek Fire. County lifts all evacuations.
SISTERS, Ore. – Firefighters push containment to 75% as they enter the third day on the Juniper Creek Fire. Today, firefighters focused on securing the control line by finding and extinguishing all heat within 200 feet of the fire’s edge and patrolling for spots fires. Evacuations: Effective 1:00 pm today, Jefferson County Sherrif’s Office lifted all evacuation notices for the Juniper Creek Fire. Officials are asking the public to avoid the area for firefighters' safety with heavy equipment operating in the area through the week. See the Jefferson County Sheriff’s...
Firefighters achieve 30% containment on 106-acre Juniper Creek Fire
SISTERS, Ore. – Firefighters on the Juniper Creek Fire pushed containment to 30% today. During today’s operations, crews successfully positioned hose lines around the fire’s perimeter to “plumb” the fire line. This water is crucial for building containment during mop-up operations. Mop-up operations consist of cooling the perimeter of the fire by extinguishing hotspots and removing unburnt materials to ensure the fire doesn’t reheat and cross the fire break. Mopup is especially crucial for fire around Juniper trees because the duff buildup under the trees can hold...
Firefighters catch and line 105-acre Juiper Creek Fire northeast of Sisters
Sisters, Ore - Firefighters from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Lake Chinook Fire & Rescue, contractors, and local partners have significantly slowed the Juniper Creek Fire through an aggressive initial attack. Firefighters were able to establish a control line completely around the fire and will continue firefighting operations into the night. Control line is the term used to describe dozer and hand line used create a fire break. Containment is still at 0%. The Juniper Creek Fire is...
Central Oregon District prepares for lightning
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...
Additional fire precautions in place for Central Oregon District
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...
Effective July 10 MH-1 area in Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3
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...
John Day Unit welcomes new unit forester
John Day, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) John Day Unit in Central Oregon is excited to announce Dustin Gustaveson as their new unit forester. Gustaveson has been with ODF for the past 29 years and started his career with the agency in the Northeast Oregon District where he was a service forester. Gustaveson’s career has placed him in several spots in ODF’s Eastern Oregon Area like the Central Oregon District (2003-2009) and the Klamath-Lake District (2009-2023). Gustaveson also serves on a Type 1 Incident Management Team as an Air Tactical Group...
Reports of fireworks during high fire danger
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...
Central Oregon District enters high fire danger Level July 1
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...
Debris Burning Closing to Reduce Risks of Wildfire
The Dalles, Ore. – Debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires across Oregon, already accounting for over 50 percent of the fires this year in the Central Oregon District. Escaped debris burns damage natural resources, threaten homes and communities, and can turn into a large wildfire. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and all the fire districts in Hood River and Wasco County, will be implementing a coordinated burn ban effective 12:01 am on June 11, 2023. This ban includes open burning such as yard debris and burn barrels with the intent to prevent...
Central Oregon District fire season begins June 9, 2023
Prineville, Ore. – Fire season on all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will begin June 9, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. Starting this Friday, 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 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...
Annual Report 2022
The 2022 Central Oregon District Annual Report was presented at the district budget meeting on May 2. "It is my pleasure to present to you the 2022 Central Oregon District Annual Report. As the District Forester, I have been blessed to work with an extremely dedicated and talented group of individuals who go above and beyond to accomplish the mission in serving the landowners across Central Oregon. Below you will find a brief overview of the accomplishments from this past year. A special thanks goes out to the John Day Unit staff for assembling and publishing this...
Public hearing on proposed budget for Central Oregon District – May 2, 2023
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 remonstrances to the proposed budget for the Central Oregon Forest Protection District. A hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023, 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 working hours. Those persons wishing to participate virtually may do so at the...
Rain and Cooler Temperatures Brings End to Fire Season for ODF’s Central Oregon District
[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...
John Day Unit Terminates Regulated-Use Closure; Fire Season Remains in Effect for Central Oregon District
[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...