Malheur National Forest Increases Fire Danger Levels and Public Use Restrictions

By on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY AND HINES(Released by the U.S. Forest Service)-Effective 00:01, Thursday, July 4, 2024, the south end of the Malheur National Forest (Emigrant Creek Ranger Districts) will move to a Fire Danger Rating level of High and will implement Phase B of Public Use Restrictions. These changes are due to increasing temperatures and drier fuels in the forest. The north end of the Malheur National Forest (Blue Mountain and Prairie City Ranger Districts) will move to a Fire Danger Rating level of Moderate with no Public Use Restrictions. There are no Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) changes at this time.

Fire Danger Ratings give the public an idea about how easily fires start and spread. When the fire danger is “High“, fires can start easily from most causes, and small fuels (such as grasses and needles) will ignite readily. Unattended campfires and brush fires are likely to escape. Fires will spread easily and can become serious and difficult to control.

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.

EXHIBIT B

DESIGNATED RECREATION SITES 

BLUE MOUNTAIN RANGER DISTRICT

·        Billy Fields Campground

·        Deerhorn Campground

·        Deer Creek Guard Station

·        Dixie Campground

·        Fall Mountain Lookout

·        Head O’Boulder Forest Camp

·        Lower Camp Creek Campground

·        Magone Lake Campground

·        Middle Fork Campground

·        Murderers Creek Cabin

·        Oregon Mine Campground

·        Parish Cabin Campground

·        Starr Campground

·        Wickiup Campground

 PRAIRIE CITY

RANGER DISTRICT

·        Big Creek Campground

·        Crescent Campground

·        Elk Creek Campground

·        Little Crane Campground

·        Murray Campground

·        North Fork Malheur Campground

·        Short Creek Guard Station

·        Slide Creek Horse Camp

·        Strawberry Basin Campground

·        Lake Creek Youth Camp

·        Trout Farm Campground

EMIGRANT CREEK RANGER DISTRICT

·        Buck Springs Campground

·        Delintment Campground

·        Emigrant Campground

·        Falls Campground

·        Idlewild Campground

·        Joaquin Miller Campground

·        Rock Springs Camp

·        Tip Top Campground

·        Yellow Jacket Lake Campground

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. 

Elkhorn Media Group