Fire restrictions, IFPL to change on Malheur National Forest

By on Thursday, July 21st, 2022 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY & HINES, OR – Here’s a quick heads-up for loggers and other folks working out in the woods. The Malheur National Forest North Zone, which includes Prairie City and Blue Mt. Ranger Districts, will move to Industrial Fire Precaution Level 2 on Monday, July 25th. Fire Prevention Technician Shyanne Slate explains this means a 1:00 shutdown for industrial operations:

“That applies mostly to commercial wood workers, and they’ll have a 1:00 p.m. shutdown, then they have to do a fire watch.”

Find further details in the official Forest Service release below:

(Press Release from Malheur National Forest)

Due to increasing indices and weather forecasts, the Malheur National Forest will be changing Industrial Fire Precaution Levels. 

On Friday, July 22nd, at 12:01 a.m., the South Zone, Emigrant Creek Ranger District, will move to an Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) of II.  

On Monday, July 25th, at 12:01 a.m., the North Zone, Blue Mountain and Prairie City Ranger Districts, will move to an Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) of II. 

Some activities may require a waiver for work done after 1:00 p.m. when in effect. Please work with your District Fire Management Officers if you need a waiver.

The IFPL regulates industrial activities such as logging. It does not regulate any recreational or firewood cutting activities on the Malheur National Forest.

Under IFPL II, the following may operate only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time:

  •        Power saws except at loading sites
  •        Cable yarding
  •        Blasting
  •        Welding or cutting of metal

Also of note, beginning Friday, all zones across the forest will be in High Fire Danger. Find the full Forest Service release below:

(Press Release from Malheur National Forest)

Beginning Friday, July 22, 2022 12:01 a.m., Fire Danger and Public Use Restrictions will be changing.

For the North Zone of the Malheur National Forest, Blue Mountain and Prairie City Ranger Districts, the Fire Danger Level is increasing from Moderate to High. There will be no Public Use Restrictions in effect at this time.

For the South Zone of Malheur National Forest, Emigrant Creek Ranger District, the Fire Danger Level will remain High and Phase B of Public Use Restrictions (PUR) will go into effect.

For the South Zone – Emigrant Creek Ranger District:

PUR Phase B:

Pursuant to 36 CFR, Sec. 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Malheur National Forest on the Emigrant Creek Ranger District, in the State of Oregon. This order is:

1)    Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal briquette or stove fire, except within a designated recreation site listed below this Order.36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).*

2)    Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).

3)    Operating a chainsaw between the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 36 C.F.R. §261.52(h). Saw operators are required to have a shovel (8” wide, 26” length), and fire extinguisher (minimum ABC 8 oz.) in their possession. A one-hour fire watch is required after saw operations cease.

4)    Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order in accordance with U.S. Forest Service Standard 5100-1. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(

a.     Generators are allowed when located in a location cleared of flammable material in an  area at least 10 feet in diameter and approved spark arrestor.

5)    Possess or use a vehicle off National Forest System roads. 36 C.F.R. § 261.56

a.    Except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.

* Campfires are allowed at:   Buck Spring Campground

                                               Delintment Campground

                                               Emigrant Campground

                                               Falls Campground

                                               Idlewild Campground

                                               Joaquin Miller Campground

                                               Rock Springs Camp

                                               Tip Top Campground

                                               Yellowjacket Campground

All zones of the forest will be in High fire danger

Fire Danger Level: High

When the fire danger is “high”, fires can start easily from most causes and small fuels (such as grasses and needles) will ignite readily. Unattended campfires and brush fires are likely to escape. Fires will spread easily, with some areas of high-intensity burning on slopes or concentrated fuels. Fires can become serious and difficult to control unless they are put out while they are still small.

This will be in close alignment with our Tri-Forest partners, Wallowa-Whitman, and Umatilla, as well as Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).

No matter the weather or time of year, there is always the potential for human-caused fires. We ask that you be careful when out enjoying your forest.

For more information and all the latest forest news on the Malheur National Forest, please visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/malheur, follow U.S. Forest Service-Malheur National Forest on Facebook, and follow @MalheurNF on Twitter. 

Elkhorn Media Group