News releases articles

[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...

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The 2016 Fire Season in ODF’s Central Oregon District (COD) wrapped up October 14th as fall rains and cooler temperatures reduced the risk of large fire growth.  At first glance 2016 appears to be a return to “normal” when compared to the historic fire seasons of 2013, 2014, and 2015.  Year-to-date, ninety-seven fires have burned 2,456 acres protected by COD.  The ten-year average for this time period is 156 fires, burning 11,958 acres.   Fuel conditions in May and early June looked as though 2016 would be similar to the previous three fire...

B & M Timber from Burns, Oregon (Brad Clemens) has been nominated for the Eastern Oregon Regional Operator of The Year Award. Each year, the Oregon Department of Forestry selects an outstanding operator from each of the three regions for this award. B & M Timber’s work has consistently exceeded the Forest Practices Act and Forest Practice rules. Their work has demonstrated the ability to handle difficult circumstances, innovation, and extra effort to consistently produce outstanding results. On October 26st a committee consisting of Oregon Department of...

The 2016 Fire Season for lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District (COD) will terminate at 12:01 am October 14, 2016.  Powerful winter storms are expected to cross central Oregon starting today, bringing moisture and cooler conditions, reducing the risk of wildfire.  “Reducing is the key word,” says Ben Duda, Sisters’ Assistant Unit Forester.  “We all need to be cautious and responsible in our activities.  Just because fire season is over doesn’t mean things won’t burn.” COD firefighters have responded to...

MH-1 and MH-4 in The Dalles Unit will be moving to Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1 effective October 3, 2016 at 12:00 PM.  This means operators can work all day, with a one hour fire watch required following operations.  All fire tools and water supplies are still required.  Follow this link for the full Closedown Order:  IFPL Requirements.  Please call Chet Behling, Stewardship Forester in The Dalles for further information, (541)296-4626. ODF's Central Oregon District remains in fire season, with Regulated...

Elden Ward with his badge mounted on his retirement plaque. Elden Ward has been a Stewardship Forester for the Prineville Unit of the Central Oregon District for nearly fifteen years.  Elden retired today, and stated his only regret was "Not coming to work for ODF sooner".  Elden will be missed by his "ODF Family" and the landowners he helped each day. Kristin Dodd (Prineville Unit Forester) with Elden. Fly fishing tops Elden's plans for retirement, but he also mentioned "doing some forestry stuff".  So it is likely we will see him around!

CENTRAL OREGON— Crews in the Maury Mountains are engaged in a fire suppression effort today after a wind event yesterday afternoon pushed a prescribed burn outside planned containment lines. The Ochoco National Forest had been conducting a prescribed burn to improve the natural resources within a 333-acre unit near Elkhorn campground and Forest Road 16.   Around 4 pm yesterday, an unexpected reversal of wind direction associated with a storm system from the south pushed fire north of the burn unit and carried it onto private ranch lands. Firefighters are working...

Cooler temperatures and shorter days mark the on-set of fall throughout central Oregon, however the change of the seasons isn’t an indicator of fire danger.  Fire danger remains HIGH throughout ODF’s Central Oregon District (COD).  The fire risk is primarily due to the lack of measurable precipitation throughout central Oregon for the past several months.  The limited moisture has kept fuel conditions dry, especially in the medium and large fuels.  Finer fuels such as grass are affected by the unstable weather patterns and can vary throughout the...