Fire Danger Decreases Slightly Across the Region. ODF Public Use Restrictions Reduced from Extreme to High

By on Thursday, September 15th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

EASTERN OREGON – (Release from the Oregon Department of Forestry) There have been some inquiries on our current status of fire restrictions for ODF-protected lands. We are lowering our restrictions from extreme fire danger to high fire danger, effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, September 15th. Weather conditions have moderated but our forest fuels remain critically dry. Our fire managers would like to remind everyone that lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry-Northeast Oregon District are still under Public Use Restrictions, and during this time we will not be issuing permits for open burning, debris piles, or burn barrels.  

Here is a reminder of the restrictions that will be in place for high fire danger:  

PROHIBITED:  

  • All open debris burning and the use of burn barrels. 
  •  Open fires, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires, and warming fires, except at designated locations. 
    • Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.  
    • Propane fire pits are allowed if they are self-contained and 3 feet away from any flammable fuels with a maximum flame height of 2 feet. 
  • Non-industrial Chainsaw use is prohibited Noon-8 PM.  
    • Non-industrial chainsaw use is allowed at all other hours if the following firefighting equipment is present with each operating saw: one shovel or other firefighting tools, and one 8-ounce or larger fire extinguisher or 1-gallon of water. In addition, a fire watch is required at least one hour following the end of chainsaw use.  
    • Electric Chainsaws are allowed all day. 
  • Use of fireworks. 
  • Use of exploding targets. 
  • Use of tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base. 
  • Any electric fence controller in use shall be: 1) Listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and 2) Operated in compliance with manufacturer’s  instructions. 
  • Smoking while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, or a cleared area free of flammable vegetation. 
  • Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required for any vehicle/UTV/ATV traveling on unimprovedroadways, where flammable vegetation exists on roadway; shovel or other firefighting tools, minimum of 1 gallon of water, or 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher. 
  • Mowing of dried and cured grass with power-driven equipment is prohibited from Noon-8 PM, except for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops. 
    • Electric string trimmers are allowed all day. 
  • Cutting, grinding, and welding of metal is prohibited Noon-8 PM. Cutting, grinding, and welding of metal is permitted at all other hours if conducted in a 10-foot area cleared of flammable vegetation, shovel, or other firefighting tools, minimum of 1 gallon of water, or 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher. 
  • Use of sky lanterns throughout the year in Oregon. 

Fire restrictions are in place to help prevent human-caused wildfires. Please be sure to know the restrictions in the area, as they may differ on lands protected by other agencies. You can find up-to-date information for fire restrictions on all area forests by visiting www.bmidc.org or contacting the Oregon Department of Forestry-Northeast Oregon Fire Prevention  Information Line for more information on ODF’s Public Use Restrictions: (541) 975-3027. 

To report a fire, call Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch at (541) 963-7171 or dial 9-1-1.  

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