Malheur National Forest Increasing Fire Danger, Industrial Fire Precaution Level and Public Use Restrictions

By Mindy Gould on Thursday, August 4th, 2022 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories

JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY, and HINES, OR – (Wednesday, August 3, 2022) Excessive heat which has accelerated the drying of fine fuels, has prompted the Malheur National Forest to increase Fire Danger, Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) and Public Use Restrictions (PUR). Effective Friday, August 5, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., on Emigrant Creek Ranger District- the Fire Danger Rating will intensify to Extreme Fire Danger, and Phase C of Public Use Restrictions (PUR) will be implemented. Additionally, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will move to IFPL III, partial shutdown. Blue Mountain and Prairie City Districts will not have any changes at this time, therefore will remain in PUR B, High fire danger and IFPL II. PUR Phase C: Pursuant to 36 CFR, Sec. 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Malheur National Forest, in the State of Oregon.

Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal briquette or stove fire. 36 CFR § 261.52(a).
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building. 36 CFR § 261.52(d).
Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine. 36 CFR § 261.52(h).
Generators are allowed when located in a location cleared of flammable material in a 10’ diameter and approved spark arrestor.
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 CFR § 261.52(j).
Possess or use a vehicle off National Forest System roads. 36 CFR § 261.56

a. Except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway. IFPL III,Partial Shutdown: The following are prohibited except as indicated:

Cable yarding – except that gravity operated logging systems employing nonmotorized carriages or approved motorized carriages may operate between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. when all block and moving lines, except for the line between the carriage and the chokers, are suspended ten feet above the ground.
Power saws – except power saws may be used at loading sites and on tractor/skidder operations between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time.

Please use caution when using any kind of equipment near wildlands. Fire Danger is High on the North Zone, (Blue Mountain and Prairie City Ranger Districts) and Extreme on the South Zone, (Emigrant Creek Ranger District).