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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...

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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...

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Regulated-Use Closure Terminated for ODF’s Central Oregon District for the Prineville and The Dalles Units

[Prineville, Ore.]  Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District’s Prineville and The Dalles units will terminate Regulated-Use Closure at 12:01 a.m. on October 7, 2022. The John Day unit will stay in Regulated-Use Closure.  Fire Season remains in effect.  Burning of slash piles or other debris from forest operations is not permitted at this time.  Recent precipitation, cooler temperatures, and increased humidity has significantly reduced fire behavior and ignition potential from sparks and other heat sources, however, the public...

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Lightning Starts Numerous Fires on ODF Protection in Central Oregon District

[Prineville, Ore.] Thunderstorms swept through the Central Oregon District Tuesday, igniting fifteen fires on Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) protection with the largest fire being ¼ acre.  Significant rainfall accompanied these storms helping to reduce fire behavior.  Additional fire detections from these storms are anticipated as vegetation and fuels dry with warmer, seasonable temperatures and increasing winds.  These holdover fires can creep around smoldering in wet fuels and vegetation for days or weeks until conditions are right for them to...

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Forestry department announces community information sessions about the statewide wildfire risk map

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is holding a series of community information sessions starting July 26 and 27 in southwest Oregon. Each session will include a presentation about the map’s function and purpose, how wildfire risk is assessed, and how property owners may appeal their assigned risk class. Time will be available to address questions from community members. The wildland-urban interface (WUI) and statewide wildfire risk map available through the Oregon Explorer is a tool to help inform decision making and planning related to mitigating wildfire risk...

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Fire Season Declared for ODF’s Central Oregon District:  Additional Wildfire Prevention Restrictions to be Implemented

  Fire Season Declared for ODF’s Central Oregon District: Additional Wildfire Prevention Restrictions to be Implemented [Prineville, Ore.] The Dalles and John Day units of Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will enter fire season at 12:01 a.m., June 27, 2022.  This declaration includes private and non-federal public lands in Hood River, Wasco, Grant, Wheeler, Gilliam, Harney, and Morrow counties protected by ODF; the Prineville-Sisters Unit (Crook, Jefferson, and Deschutes counties) declared fire season June 13, 2022. Activities prohibited...

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Debris Burning in Wasco and Hood River Counties Closing to Reduce Risks of Wildfire

[The Dalles, Ore.] Debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires across Oregon, already accounting for seventy percent of the fires this year in the Central Oregon District.  These fires damage natural resources and threaten homes and communities.  Oregon Department of Forestry’s The Dalles Unit closed burning of forest slash in April and burning of debris piles in Wasco County closed on May 15 to help reduce the risk of uncontrolled fires.  Wasco County and fire districts within, will be implementing a county wide burn ban effective June 15, 2022.  This ban...

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Fire Season Declared for Oregon Department of Forestry’s Prineville-Sisters Unit

[Prineville, Ore.] The Prineville-Sisters Unit of Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will enter fire season at 12:01 a.m., June 13, 2022. Lands protected by ODF in Jefferson, Crook, and Deschutes counties are affected by this declaration, this includes private and non-federal public lands.  ODF protected lands in The Dalles and John Day units are not included at this time. “We are monitoring conditions closely across the other units of the Central Oregon District so we can implement Fire Season and other restrictions to prevent wildfires...

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Public Reminded to Follow Debris Burning Restrictions to Reduce Wildfires

[Prineville, Ore.] Two wildfires reported Wednesday within Oregon Department of Forestry’s Prineville-Sisters Unit were related to uncontrolled debris burns. Burning of debris and other vegetation on lands protected by ODF require a permit and debris burning in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties closed on May 31st for lands within many local fire districts.  Despite recent rain, fuels and vegetation in central Oregon continue to see the effects of long-term drought.  Warm temperatures and wind can quickly dry fine fuels, allowing them to readily catch fire. ...

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Landowner Assistance Available for Fuel Reduction and Defensible Space Projects in the John Day Unit

 John Day, Ore. — Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District is providing rebate funds available for landowners to complete fuel reduction projects around their homes. The intent of the projects is to reduce the potential of wildfire spreading to structures and to improve ingress/egress routes in the wildland-urban interface. These programs are specifically for residents and small forestland owners in Grant County South of Highway 26 to USFS and BLM bordering lands between Laycock Creek and Pine Creek communities, and for Morrow/Wheeler County...

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Oregon Department of Forestry—The Dalles Unit:  Debris Burning Closes May 15

[The Dalles, Ore.] Beginning May 15th burning yard debris, material from fuel reduction projects, and other commercial forest slash will be prohibited for lands protected by The Dalles Unit of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).  This includes private, municipal, county, and state owned lands within ODF’s protection boundary in Wasco and Hood River counties.  Landowners whose property is within a local fire district may be able to obtain a permit from their fire district for yard debris and burn barrels.  Escaped debris burning is a leading cause of wildfires in...

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Public hearing for proposed budget – May 3, 2022

 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 Friday, May 3rd, 2022, 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.  To ensure the broadest range of services to individuals with...

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Landowner Assistance Available for Fuel Reduction and Defensible Space Projects

PRINEVILLE, Ore. — Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District is accepting applications from landowners interested in completing fuel reduction projects around their homes.  The intent of the projects is to reduce the potential of wildfire spreading to structures and to improve ingress/egress routes in the wildland-urban interface, specifically Juniper Canyon residents in Crook County, DRRH 1-5 & 9 in the La Pine area of Deschutes County, and Crooked River Ranch in Jefferson and Deschutes counties.  Funding for these projects comes from the $5...

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Fire Season Ends for ODF’s Central Oregon District

Fire Season Ends for ODF’s Central Oregon District [Prineville, Ore.]  Fire Season in Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will terminate at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021.  Burning of slash piles or other debris from forest operations or fuels treatment projects will not be permitted until additional precipitation is received. Cooler fall temperatures and periodic moisture has reduced fire behavior and improved fuel conditions across the District. “Ending Fire Season doesn’t mean there isn’t a risk of wildfire,” emphasizes Frank...

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Regulated-Use Closure Terminated for ODF’s Central Oregon District

[Prineville, Ore.]  Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will terminate Regulated-Use Closure at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2021.  Fire Season remains in effect.  Burning of slash piles or other debris from forest operations is not permitted at this time. Recent precipitation, cooler temperatures, and increased humidity has significantly reduced fire behavior and ignition potential from sparks and other heat sources, however the public is reminded to be attentive to activities which could start a wildfire. Weather can change quickly in the fall...

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 Dates Set for Lifting Public Restrictions and Terminating Burn Bans in Hood River and Wasco Counties

The Dalles, Ore. —  While fire season remains in effect, Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will terminate Regulated-Use Closure at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2021, which includes lands in Hood River and Wasco counties.  Campfires, warming fires and cooking fires will be allowed with the termination of Regulated-Use Closure. These fires should be kept small and any surrounding fuel should be cleared away to reduce potential spread.  A fire tool, such as a shovel, and water or a fire extinguisher should be available to help control the fire if...

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Restrictions Eased on ODF Protected Lands in Central Oregon District

 Restrictions Eased on ODF Protected Lands in Central Oregon District [Prineville, Ore.]  Regulated-Use Closure restrictions within Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will ease beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, September 22, 2021. There will be no change to the activities restricted, including all prohibiting open fires (campfires, warming fires, and cooking fires).  The primary change to the Closure is restriction of activities such as mowing of dried grass and chainsaw use between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.  Details for all...

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 Fire Prevention Measures Remain:  Precipitation is Not Enough to Reduce Fire Danger[The Dalles, Ore.]  With rain in the forecast, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) fire officials want to remind the public that both Hood River and Wasco counties still have a burn ban in place, prohibiting all open burning.  This restriction includes debris pile burning and burn barrels. Lifting of the burn ban is coordinated between ODF and Fire Districts in Hood River and Wasco counties.  Fire District officials will continue to monitor conditions,...

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Fire Prevention Measures Reduced for Industrial Operations [Prineville, Ore.]  Fire prevention restrictions on industrial forest operations within Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will be reduced beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, September 14th.  Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) for MH-4 and MH-1 will move to Level 2, and Additional Restrictions on industrial operations in the Prineville and John Day Units will be rescinded.  MH-4 and MH-1 includes private, state, and municipal ownership protected by ODF in...

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 10, 2021 Contact:Glen AhrensOregon State University Extension Service Wildfire Preparedness for Hood River County Join OSU Extension Forestry & Natural Resources, Oregon Department of Forestry, Hood River County Emergency Management and other partners to learn about wildfire preparedness in Hood River County. This online Zoom meeting will help you: ·       Prepare your home and property to reduce risk of burning in the event of fire in your neighborhood. ·       Prepare...

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Firefighters Able to Secure Fires from This Week’s Thunderstorms[John Day, Ore.]  No new fires were reported in the John Day Unit Thursday.  Significant progress was made on mop-up and containment of fires from earlier this week. Containment for the Cottonwood Creek Fire has reached 95% on the 159-acre fire.  The fire will transition to a Type 5 incident commander Saturday.  One hand crew will complete mop-up work, gridding for hot spots.  These resources will pull hose and other equipment from the fire.  The fire will be in patrol...

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 Firefighters continue to Secure and Mop-up Fires and Prepare for More[John Day, Ore.]  No new fires were reported in the John Day Unit Wednesday.  Extended attack on fires in the John Day Unit have been fully transitioned to mop-up.  Today this work will continue as firefighters prepare for strong winds as thunderstorms pass through the area.  Firefighting resources from these fires will be available to assist in initial attack of any new fire starts today.    Management of the Cottonwood Creek Fire transitioned to a Type 4...

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Dissel Creek Fire-Late Tuesday Evening More Fires Reported from Thunderstorms, More Expected[John Day, Ore.]  Late Tuesday evening two new fires were reported on private land protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) John Day Unit.  The Dissel Creek Fire was reported just before 6:00 p.m., burning five miles southeast of John Day.  While firefighters worked to stop the initial spread of the Dissel Creek Fire a report for a second fire, the Cole Canyon Fire, was received.  This fire is located seven miles northeast of Monument. ...

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 Cottonwood Creek Fire Update[John Day, Ore.]  Operations across the 159 acre Cottonwood Creek Fire have fully transitioned to mop-up work.  Hoselays have been completed, with water being distributed to all parts of the fire as needed.  Containment for the fire has increased to 40% as of late Monday afternoon.  The fire was ignited by lighting from a passing thunderstorm Thursday afternoon, but was not reported until mid-day Friday.  Dozers, wildland engines, helicopters and airtankers were successful in stopping forward growth of the...

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