Umatilla National Forest loosens restrictions
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON — (News release from the Umatilla National Forest) Effective Sept. 17, Umatilla National Forest officials are reducing the Public Use Restrictions (PURs) to Phase A, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level to IFPL level 1 and the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) Adjective to MODERATE for both the Umatilla North and South Zones of the Forest. Thanks to the rise in humidity, fire risk has lowered but not completely diminished.
PURs are temporary and set, as conditions warrant. PURs may differ from Forest to Forest. Restrictions under Phase A include:
- Chainsaws may be operated only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time. A one-hour fire watch is required after saw operations cease. Saw operators are required to have an axe (minimum 2 lb. head, 26” length), shovel (8” wide, 26” length), and fire extinguisher (minimum ABC 8 oz.) in their possession. **Chainsaw operation associated with commercial and personal use firewood permits are regulated under the conditions of the permit and are not impacted by this public use restriction.
- Smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles, buildings or cleared areas.
- Traveling Off Developed Forest Roads and Trails is not allowed, except for the purpose of going to and from a dispersed campsite located within 300 feet of the open developed road. All motorized travel on roads closed by gates, barricades, berms, rocks, or logs is prohibited.
The public is also encouraged to practice safe campfire principles when recreating in dispersed and developed campsites. Forest officials recommend the following campfire safety precautions:
Campfires should be in fire pits surrounded by dirt, rock, or commercial rings and in areas not conducive to rapid fire spread. All flammable material shall be cleared within a 3-foot radius from the edge of the pit and free of overhanging material. Use existing pits wherever possible. (Note: within the Grande Ronde Scenic Waterway, campfires must be contained in a fireproof container (i.e., “fire pan”) with sides of a height sufficient to contain all ash and debris, and all ashes and debris must be removed from the river corridor. Do not use or construct fire pits or rock fire rings within the Scenic Waterway.)
Portable cooking stoves or portable fire pits that use liquefied or bottled gas as fuel should have all combustible material removed within a 5-foot radius of the perimeter of the stove.
Campfires must be always attended, and completely extinguished prior to leaving.
Persons with campfires should carry a tool that can serve as a shovel and one gallon of water in their possession. The intent of this recommendation is to ensure individuals with a campfire to have the tools necessary to completely extinguish their campfire.
The public’s awareness of the fire danger and cooperation is essential to a safe fire season. Recreationists, firewood cutters, hunters, and other forest users can all help by closely adhering to restrictions, operating safely and cautiously, and keeping up to date on the latest orders and regulations.
Regulated closures may be in effect on State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast and central Oregon. Please check with your local Oregon Department of Forestry office for PURs on lands protected by ODF. For more complete information, contact a local Oregon Department of Forestry office or visit one of the interagency dispatch centers’ webpages:
Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch webpage: www.bmidc.org
John Day Interagency Dispatch webpage: http://bicc-jdidc.org/index.shtml
Similar restrictions may also be in effect on State and private lands protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA-DNR). More information can be found on the WA-DNR website at: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/.
For more information about the Umatilla National Forest’s Public Use Restrictions, please contact the Umatilla National Forest Information Hotline at 1-877-958-9663 or visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/.
