News releases articles

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 Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 9:00 A.M., at the Oregon Department of Forestry – District Office, 3501 NE 3rd Street, Prineville, OR. Copies of the tentative...

Map of proposed boundary change. Oregon Department of Forestry's Central Oregon District is holding a Public Hearing to receive testimony regarding a proposed change to the existing District Boundary in Jefferson and Deschutes counties.  The Hearing will be held at 1pm on March 19, 2018 at Redmond City Hall (411 SW 9th Street, Redmond, Oregon.).  Format of the hearing: Brief overview of the proposed change Public testimony Written testimony must be received by 5:00 p.m., March 23, 2018. Submissions should be addressed to Tracy Wrolson, Hearing Officer,...

Oregon Department of Forestry's Central Oregon District is planning a Spring Luncheon in the Prineville-Sisters Unit for forest landowners and operators! Two days will be held to accommodate both sides of the unit: April 14th in Sisters and April 21st in Prineville. Both our Private Forests staff and Protection staff will give updates and share information about current topics. Staff will be available to conduct pre-season inspections on fire equipment and we will have OR OSHA Basic Wildland Fire Safety Training for those that need it. Please RSVP...

WHAT: The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will hold a public hearing on a proposed change to their Forest Protection District Boundary in Deschutes and Jefferson counties. Jefferson County Boundary Relocation WHEN: 1 p.m., Monday, March 19, 2018 WHERE: Redmond City Hall, 411 SW 9th Street, Redmond, Oregon. WHY: Revising the Central Oregon Forest Protection District Boundary to more accurately reflect areas receiving wildland fire protection services from ODF. WHO: The public is invited to attend and give testimony.  A report of the...

[Prineville, Ore.]  The Oregon Department of Forestry is considering shifting the current Central Oregon District Boundary in Jefferson County near Lake Billy Chinook.  District managers have coordinated with partner agencies to review the existing boundary and developed the proposed boundary location based on risk of wildfire and existing fuel factors.  Relocation of the existing boundary will reduce the area of the current protection boundary and will match-up with landowners who are paying for wildfire protection through the Forest...

Modified Burn Ban Effective Saturday October 7th, 2017 lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Hood River County will enter a modified burn ban.  The modification to the current burn ban allows for burn barrels and small debris pile burning to take place between 6am and 11am.  All fires must be fully extinguished by 11am.  As always, any burning requires a current burn permit, acquired at your local fire authority. Grounds protected by Oregon Department of Forestry in Wasco County continue to be in a strict burn ban.  This means...

[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...

August 25, 2017 Contact:  Christie Shaw, Public Information Office                  541-263-0661 [Prineville, Ore.] Regulated Closure restrictions for lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District (COD) remain in effect. These restrictions are intended to prevent fire starts from human activities. Numerous large fires currently burning in Oregon and adjacent states, continue to strain firefighting resources and initial attack capacity in the region. There is increased activity in the...

News Release—For Immediate Release August 15, 2017 Oregon Department of Forestry Umatilla National Forest Contacts:  Christie Shaw (ODF), 541-263-0661  Darcy Weseman (USFS), 541-215-2224 [John Day, Ore.] Firefighters from Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) John Day Unit and the Umatilla National Forest suppressed a fire near Howard Meadows in northern Grant County late Monday afternoon.  The Howard Meadows Fire was sparked by one of the many lightning strikes from last week’s thunderstorms.  Monday’s warm temperatures and afternoon winds fanned...

Contact: Lauren DuRocher, Public Information Officer                  541-728-3854  Prineville– Crews will continue extinguishing hot spots and smoldering areas throughout the Grizzly Fire.  As they work towards full mop up of the fire area, firefighters will continue today focusing on the perimeter and areas around private residences and structures. Yesterday, firefighters were successful at getting water to the southwest section and further securing the fire line. The fire area is...

[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....

Contact: Nick Hennemann, Public Affairs Specialist, Salem, 503-910-4311 Kyle Abraham, Deputy Chief Private Forests Division, Salem, 503-945-7473 SALEM, Ore.—The Eastern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee will meet Thursday, May 25. Time:     9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Place:    Oregon Department of Forestry office, 611 20th Street, LaGrande. Topics the committee will receive updates about and discuss include: The department generally and related legislative work The compliance audit report The E-Notify subscriber project The Eastern...