Malheur National Forest offers wildfire prevention tips
By Mindy Gould on Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
John Day, Prairie City and Hines, Or (Released from US Forest Department)-Malheur National Forest offers some best practices for wildfire prevention which is especially critical during the upcoming heat wave. Equipment use:
Make sure you know the current restrictions for using portable gasoline-powered equipment in wildland areas. These include chainsaws, tractors, weed eaters, and mowers.
- Limit equipment use to morning or evening hours- not during the heat of the day.
- Always maintain spark arresters.
- Keep the exhaust system and machinery in proper working order and free of carbon build-up.
- Use the appropriate fuel for the specific type of equipment.
- Always have a fire extinguisher and shovel on hand.
- Watch out for rocks or other debris that the metal mower blades or saw chains could strike and create sparks that cause fires.
Vehicle use:
Some areas may have restrictions for off-road or cross-country travel- know before you go.
- Always carry a shovel and water or a fire extinguisher.
- Properly maintain your vehicle- ensure it is up to code and check your tires for correct inflation.
- If pulling a trailer, secure the chains and never let them drag.
- Never drive, park or idle on dry grass or brush. Exhaust pipes and mufflers can become very hot and start fires.
- Check under and around your vehicle to make sure you don’t have any vegetation built up or hanging from your vehicle.
Camping & Recreating:
Check the restrictions and incoming weather forecasts for the area(s) you plan to visit.
- Always pack a shovel and water or a fire extinguisher.
- Use existing campfire rings and pits when possible. If building your own, clear a 10-foot diameter
around the site and make sure there are no tree limbs or leaves overhead. Remove any grass, twigs, leaves or firewood. Dig the pit in dirt, about one-foot deep then circle it with rocks.
- Keep the fire small and contained within the ring.
- Don’t burn garbage, cans, or bottles.
- Never leave a campfire unattended.
- Make sure your fire is “dead-out” or cool to the touch before leaving.
- Know at least two ways to get out of the area in case a wildfire occurs and access or escape routes become limited.
No matter the weather or time of year, there is always the potential for human-caused fires. We ask that you be careful when out enjoying your forest.
