Umatilla National Forest Eases Restrictions on Chainsaws, Campfires Under Phase A
By Griffin Beach on Friday, September 11th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
PENDLETON – Umatilla National Forest officials have eased public use restriction down to Phase A, which is the lowest level generally implemented when fire danger is moderate to high.
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 0z.) in their possession. **Chainsaw operations 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 at least three feet in diameter.
• No off-road/off-trail vehicle travel or travel on roads not cleared of standing grass or other flammable material; no vehicle travel on those Forest Service roads where access has been impeded or blocked by earthen berm, logs, boulders, barrier, barricade or gate, or as otherwise identified in the Fire Order. Except for the purpose of traveling to and from a dispersed campsite within 300-feet of the open and developed road. Vehicles must be parked in an area devoid of any vegetation and flammable material.
Even with the change in regulations officials still encourage the public to practice safe campfire principles:
• 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.)
• Wood burning stoves should be equipped with a chimney at least 5-feet in length with a spark arresting screen consisting of ¼ inch mesh hardware cloth. All combustible material should be removed within a 3-foot radius of the perimeter of stoves.
• Campfires must be attended at all times and completely extinguished prior to leaving.
• People 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 have the tools necessary to completely extinguish their campfire.
Forest officials noted that regulated closures may remain in effect on private lands, Oregon Department of Forestry land and Washington Department of Natural Resources land.
