BIFZ Fire Prevention Order- East Steens Closure Effective July 1

By Mindy Gould on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

HARNEY COUNTY(Release from the Burns Interagency Fire Zone)-Effective Monday, July 1, 2024, Burns District BLM is temporarily prohibiting some activities and uses of the public land during periods of increased fire danger. These rules only apply to BLM-administered public lands within the Burns District, Oregon, from Highway 78 and Folly Farm Road, southwest along the crest of the Steens Mountain and the crest of the Pueblo Mountains to the Oregon/Nevada border, and then following the Burns District boundary east and north until it reaches the Folly Farm Road at highway 78.

ORDERS TO BE ENFORCED:

You must not build, maintain, or attend a fire, or wood stove or smoker fire, including charcoal briquette fires and portable braziers.

NOTE: Liquefied and bottled gas stoves, smokers, and heaters are permitted. When used outside of developed recreation sites, they must be within an area at least ten (10) feet in diameter that is barren, or clear of all flammable materials.

You must not smoke outside of a vehicle, trailer, or building, except within areas barren of all flammable materials for at least a six (6) foot diameter, or aboard boats on rivers and lakes.

You must not operate a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine. NOTE: Generators are allowed when located in a location cleared of flammable material in an area at least 10 feet in diameter and with approved spark arrestor.

You must not operate or park your motorized vehicle or operate any type of internal combustion engine in an area that is not clear of flammable material.

You must not operate a motorized vehicle outside of existing roads or ways. This prohibits cross-country travel until this order is rescinded.

You must not operate any motorized vehicle or equipment that is wider than 50 inches or has a dry weight of 800 pounds or more, on public lands without a shovel not less than 26 inches in overall length, with a blade not less than 8 inches wide, and a container with at least one gallon of water, or a fully charged 2.5 pound fire extinguisher. All motorcycles, all-terrain vehicle s (ATV), and side-by-side utility terrain vehicles (UTV) must be equipped with a functional U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestor.

REMINDER:

Ignition, possession, or use of fireworks, exploding targets, and/or metal targets, and firing tracer or incendiary devices are also currently prohibited on public lands.