ODF Central Oregon Dist. to begin Public Use Restrictions
By Logan Bagett on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY – Public Use Restrictions will begin June 24th on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry within the Central Oregon District. A release issued by District Forester Mike Shaw explains that beginning this Thursday, smoking and open fires are prohibited—including campfires, except in designated areas. Chainsaw use, as well as the cutting and grinding of metal, is shut down between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.; and travel is only allowed on improved roads with the required firefighting equipment. Below is the full proclamation with specific details:
(Release issued by ODF Central Oregon District Forester Mike Shaw)
By virtue of the authority vested in me under the provisions of ORS 477.535 to 477.550, I hereby proclaim a Regulated Closure to be in effect in the following subject area:
All lands protected by the Central Oregon Forest Protection District, and all forestland within one-eighth mile thereof.
Under this Regulated Closure it is unlawful to be in violation of the following restrictions:
Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads.
Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except in designated areas. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed. Open fires are allowed if conducted in compliance with a valid Burning Permit issued pursuant to ORS 477.515.
Chainsaw use is prohibited, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Chainsaw use is permitted at all other hours, if the following firefighting equipment is present with each operating saw: one axe, one shovel, and one operational 8 ounce or larger fire extinguisher. In addition, a fire watch is required at least one hour following the use of each saw.
Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. At all other times the area is to be cleared of flammable vegetation and the following fire equipment is required: one axe, one shovel, and one operational 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher in good working order.
Use of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, is prohibited, except on improved roads and except for vehicle use by a landowner and employees of the landowner upon their own land while conducting activities associated with their livelihood.
Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling in a motorized vehicle, except on federal and state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one operational 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher, except all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles which must be equipped with an approved spark arrestor in good working condition.
Mowing of dried grass with power driven equipment is prohibited, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., except for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.
Use of fireworks is prohibited.
Blasting is prohibited.
Any electric fence controller in use shall be:
1) Listed be a nationally recognized
testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and
2) Operated in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Aside from these restrictions, also prohibited throughout fire season is backyard debris burning, the use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition.
The State Forester or an authorized representative may, in writing, approve a modification or waiver of these requirements.
These restrictions shall remain in effect until replaced, suspended, or terminated by an additional proclamation of the State Forester or an authorized representative.
Maps of the subject area may be viewed at the State Forester’s Office, in Salem, Oregon, and at principal offices of the Forest Protection District.
Definitions of words and phrases used in this proclamation may be found in ORS 477.001, OAR 629-041-0005.
