Malheur National Forest moves to Extreme Fire Danger, Stage C PURs.
By Logan Bagett on Tuesday, July 21st, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY, & HINES – (Press Release from the Malheur National Forest)
Effective 12:01 a.m., Thursday, July 23, 2026, the North Zone (Blue Mountain and Prairie City Ranger Districts) and the South Zone (Emigrant Creek Ranger District) of the Malheur National Forest will implement Stage C of Public Use Restrictions (PURs) and Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) III. This change is due to increasing temperatures and drier fuels in the forest. Both Zones will also move to EXTREME fire danger.
Under Stage C of Public Use Restrictions, the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Malheur National Forest.
- Campfires: Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, cook stove; including solid fuel, charcoal briquette, gas/jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel or propane fire is prohibited.
Exemptions:
- When the cook stove, lantern or campfire is fueled solely by gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel or propane with an on/off switch and flammable vegetation is cleared a minimum of 3-feet away from open flame on all sides.
- Smoking: Prohibited.
Exemptions:
- Except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a recreation site, while stopped in an area at least 3-feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
- Internal Combustion Engines: Operating an internal combustion engine, including chainsaw use is prohibited.
Exemptions:
- Generators must be equipped with spark arrestor and used in an area that is cleared at least 10-feet in diameter of all flammable material.
- Welding: Operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame is prohibited.
- Explosives: Using explosives is prohibited.
- Use of vehicles off National Forest System roads: Prohibited off National Forest System trails and roads.
Under Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) III: 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.
When the fire danger is EXTREME - fires of all types start quickly and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious and can spread very quickly with intense burning. Small fires become big fires much faster than at the ” high” level. Spot fires are probable, with long-distance spotting likely. These fires are very difficult to fight and may become very dangerous and often last for several days.
For additional information about Fire Danger, Public Use Restrictions, and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/malheur or call our office at 541-575-3000.
