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 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, April 30, 2021, 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...

ODF Urges Landowners Not to Burn Due to Weather and Fuel Conditions[Prineville, Ore.] Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District is seeing a significant increase in escaped debris and agricultural burns, rekindled slash burns, and fires spread from abandoned campfires across the Central Oregon District.  Limited moisture in recent weeks combined with strong winds has resulted in dry vegetation and fuels on the landscape.  Cool spring temperatures have reduced green-up of vegetation which typically slows fire growth in wildland fuels this...

Bull Springs Fire Final[Bend, Ore.] The Bull Springs Fire, west of Bend, was reported late Sunday afternoon burning in slash, Ponderosa Pine, juniper, and brush.  This wind driven fire grew quickly, burning 211 acres before fire fighters were able to stop the spread.  Two outbuildings were destroyed by the fire, and nearly 200 residences were placed in a Level 3 (GO) evacuation Sunday evening.  Coordination between Bend Fire Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Department of Forestry, and federal resources from Central Oregon Fire...

[Prineville, Ore.] Spring is often the time when landowners work to clean up vegetation and yard debris around their property and is the perfect time for cleaning gutters and removing leaves and needles from rooftops to reduce risk of wildfire damage to homes and buildings.  However, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Prineville Unit reminds landowners to be cautious if they plan to burn that material.  Weather in the spring can often be erratic and winds can pick up suddenly, fanning flames and dispersing embers into dry vegetation nearby. Many communities...

Oregon Department of Forestry:  Now is the Time to Complete Spring Debris Burning[The Dalles, Ore.] Landowners planning to burn yard debris, material from fuel reduction projects, and other commercial forest slash this spring in Wasco and Hood River counties should contact the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) office in The Dalles for information on how to obtain a permit and when burning is allowed.   ODF is encouraging landowners to complete burning from fuel reduction projects or commercial forest slash prior to March 31st to reduce risks of...

[John Day, Ore.]  Oregon Department of Forestry will terminate Fire Season in the John Day Unit of the Central Oregon District at 12:01 a.m. Saturday October 24, 2020.  Cooling temperatures and increased humidity have reduced the fire danger and potential for rapid spread of fire due to fuel conditions.  Additional precipitation is needed before burn permits for logging slash will be issued in the Central Oregon District.     Yard debris, burn barrels, and other open burning should follow local and county fire restrictions.  Prior...

[PRINEVILLE, Ore.]  Fire Season for Oregon Department of Forestry’s Prineville and The Dalles units in the Central Oregon District will end at 12:01 a.m. Saturday October 17, 2020.  Industrial Fire Precautions in MH-1 and MH-4 of The Dalles Unit are also terminated.  Fuel conditions do not pose a significant risk of fire ignition and rapid spread in these areas.  Gordon Foster, Prineville Unit Forester, reminds the public, “Although conditions have minimized the threat of fire spread, people should take caution and monitor conditions prior to...

[PRINEVILLE, Ore.]  Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Regulated-Use Closure in the Central Oregon District will be terminated at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday October 14, 2020.  Fire managers have determined the recent cooler weather and widespread precipitation across ODF’s Central Oregon District have reduced the risk of rapid fire spread and these prevention measures are no longer necessary.  In addition to the removal of the Regulated-Use Closure for the District, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level for MH-1 (East of Hwy 35) will be reduced to Level...

[PRINEVILLE, Ore.]  Fire Season in Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District remains in effect across private ownership, as well as state and municipal lands.  Cooler recent temperatures may give a false sense that fire danger is no longer present.  However, vegetation conditions are well above average across the District, and in many places are near where they were in August.  This assessment is based on the ability of fuels to burn, fuel moisture content, the heat potential of the fire front, and the rate of spread. ...

Fire Restrictions Eased for Department of Forestry Protected Lands[PRINEVILLE, Ore.]  Recent cooler temperatures, increased humidity and precipitation within Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District has reduced fuel hazards and the risk of rapid fire spread.  Lands protected by the Central Oregon District are at a high fire danger.  While the current fall weather trend, combined with shorter days has not eliminated the risk of wildfire the reduced risk allows fire managers to ease restrictions. The Regulated-Use Closure in effect...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  Industrial Fire Precaution Levels for Oregon Department of Forestry lands in Hood River and Wasco counties (MH-1 and MH-4) will be reduced to Level 3 at 12:01 a.m. September 21, 2020.  This will allow industrial operations to resume, but operators must follow restrictions including suspension of most activities between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. and conducting a firewatch following daily operations.  The full close down order is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com.  “The rain was a welcome sight, however fuel conditions remain dry,”...

Increased Restrictions for Industrial Operations on Private Lands in Hood River and Wasco Counties[THE DALLES, Ore.]  Industrial Fire Precaution Levels for Oregon Department of Forestry lands in Hood River and Wasco counties (MH-1 and MH-4) increased to Level 4 at 5:00 p.m. September 8, 2020.  This increase is a complete shut-down of all industrial activities without a valid waiver from the State Forester.  The intent of the shut-down is to reduce the risk of potential fires ignited from equipment or other industrial activities. Fuel conditions are...

White River Fire Update:  Thursday, Aug. 28, 2020 The White River Fire moved significantly yesterday, crossing control lines to the east and spotting across the river to the south. It moved from national forest land to state and private lands. The fire threatened structures in Pine Grove, leading to a Level 3 “GO” Evacuation Order from the Wasco County Sheriff. A Level 3 Order means EVACUATE NOW. Yesterday several crews on the ground and aircraft moved to initial attack, working spot fires lofted embers out to 2000 feet.  Fire managers used several...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  The Mosier Creek Fire is now in patrol status as mop-up activities were completed over the weekend.  Firefighters have established a 300 foot “black” area adjacent to the fire edge and any homes within the fire area.  Fire personnel used a grid system to eliminate any smoke or heat adjacent to the fire edge.  Firefighters from the Oregon Department of Forestry and Mosier Fire regularly patrol the fire to look for smoke or fire within this edge area.  As fire consumes areas of un-burned fuel within the interior of the fire...

[JOHN DAY, Ore.]  Firefighters from Oregon Department of Forestry’s John Day Unit have responded to numerous wildfires ignited by passing thunderstorms since Sunday afternoon.  Most of these fires were caught during initial attack or a short extended attack.  On Wednesday fire activity increased in the area on both ODF protected lands and on adjacent federal lands.  These fires were primarily holdover fires from Tuesday’s thunderstorms which came with minimal rain.  Dry fuels combined with hot temperatures allowed fires to grow rapidly...

 [THE DALLES, Ore.]  Firefighters are continuing work today on the Sevenmile Hill Road Fire, which was reported just before 5 p.m. Wednesday evening.  The fire burned nearly 100 acres of grass, scrub oak, and brush before suppression efforts stopped the spread.  The fire is 50% contained.  Today resources from the Mosier Creek Fire will be staffing both incidents, with the goal to secure Sevenmile Hill Road and place it in patrol status at the end of shift today.  This will require gridding the fire for hot spots, with significant work...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  The Fir Mountain Fire reached full containment this afternoon and has transitioned to patrol status with The Dalles Unit.  Resources on the fire were released to their home unit late this afternoon. Monday night crews used handheld infrared cameras across the fire to find any remaining heat sources.  Crews worked on these hot spots yesterday and will continue to identify heat and smoke today to secure the fire.  Hose and other supplies continue to be removed from the fire and returned to the fire cache for clean-up and...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  Firefighting activities on the Fir Mountain Fire today will focus on mop-up and continuing to secure the fire in preparation to transfer the fire back to The Dalles Unit.  Extinguishing heat near the perimeter and any hot spots in the interior is needed so the fire can be placed into patrol status and monitored in the coming days by local fire resources.  The fire is 90% contained, with full containment expected Wednesday. A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the fire and surrounding area for...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  The Oregon Department of Forestry is seeking information related to finding the individual responsible for starting the Fir Mountain Fire.  Investigators were able to locate the point of origin for the fire and have determined it to be human caused.  Fire danger in The Dalles Unit is EXTREME, and restrictions associated with public activities are in place. The Fir Mountain Fire was reported on August 1, 2020 on private lands in Hood River County along Fir Mountain Road.  Fire suppression activities continue on the fire with...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  Sunday evening the Central Oregon Fire Management Service transferred command of the Fir Mountain Fire back to Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) The Dalles Unit.  Approximately 130 firefighters continue to staff the Fir Mountain Fire as a Type 4 organization.  Operations continue to focus on mop-up of the interior of the fire and locating any hot spots near the perimeter.  Resources include local contract hand crews and engines from ODF’s Northwest Oregon Area.  Full containment of the fire is expected Wednesday....