Industrial Fire Precaution Level Reduction
By Paul Hall on Monday, August 23rd, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
BAKER CITY – (Information provided by Wallowa-Whitman) The Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPLs) for the Wallowa and Whitman Units lowered to Level II.
IFPL II affects the activities of loggers, contractors, and firewood cutting permit holders on the National Forest. The following may now operate ONLY between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m.:
· Power saws (except at loading sites)
· Cable yarding
· Blasting
· Welding or cutting of metal
The reduction in IFPL and Fire Danger is in response to increased levels of moisture, cooling temperature trends, and forecasted rain into the weekend. Energy Release Component (ERC) and Ignition Component (IC) indices – which measure the seasonal energy release when vegetation burns and the potential for a fire to ignite – have both dropped with the recent moisture and humidity. This trend is predicted to continue based on the forecasted weather. For more information, see the ERC charts on the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center website.
Please remain cautious as Phase C Public Use Restrictions (PURs) remain in effect across the National Forest. Remember, under Phase C PURs, campfires are not permitted. It is everyone’s responsibility to know and follow the current fire-prevention rules on National Forest Lands. Check our website for more details.
State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast Oregon follow separate restrictions. For more information, contact your local ODF office or visit the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center website at http://www.bmidc.org.
To learn more about the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, please visit our website (www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman) or contact your local Forest Service office.
