Malheur National Forest’s fire danger decreases to ‘Moderate’
By Logan Bagett on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY, & HINES – (Press Release from the Malheur National Forest)
Effective 12:01am, Thursday, September 19, 2024, the south end of the Malheur National Forest (Emigrant Creek Ranger Districts) will move to a Fire Danger Rating Level Moderate and will enter Phase B of Public Use Restrictions. The north end of the Malheur National Forest (Blue Mountain Ranger District and Prairie City Ranger District) will move to a Fire Danger Rating Level Moderate and enter Phase A of Public Use Restrictions. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) on the Malheur National Forest will move to an IFPL II.
When fire danger is “Moderate” it means that fires can start from most accidental causes, but the number of fire starts is usually low. If a fire does start in an open, dry grassland, it will burn and spread quickly on windy days. Most wood fires will spread slowly to moderately. Average fire intensity will be moderate except in heavy concentrations of fuel, which may burn hot. Fires are still not likely to become serious and are often easy to control.
Under Phase B of Public Use Restrictions, the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Malheur National Forest, in the state of Oregon:
1) Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal briquette or stove fire, except within a designated recreation site listed in Exhibit B (below). 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 pm to 8:00 pm. 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(j). 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. Except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.
Under Phase A of Public Use Restrictions, the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Malheur National Forest, in the state of Oregon:
1) 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).
2) 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 at the site of any chainsaw operations after saw operations cease.
3) 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(j).
4) 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.
PURs may differ from Forest to Forest, please check the local fires danger and public use restrictions on the National Forest you are visiting. Remember to recreate responsibly and know before you go.
For additional information about Fire Danger, Public Use Restrictions, and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels, visit www.fs.usda.gov/malheur or call our office at 541-575-3000.
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