Public Use Restrictions go into effect this Friday

By Paul Hall on Thursday, June 24th, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories

BAKER CITY – (Information provided by Wallowa Whitman Forest) With a backdrop of severe drought, a record-breaking heat wave, and predicted lightning in the weather forecast, Smokey Bear will begin pointing to “HIGH” (yellow) on the fire danger scale this Wednesday, June 23 at midnight for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

On Friday at midnight, Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPLs) will move to Level 2 in both the Wallowa and Whitman IFPL Units. Additionally, Phase A Public Use Restrictions (PURs) will go into effect to further reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires due to smoking, off-road travel, and chainsaw use. PURs will start this Friday at midnight and will remain in place until further notice.

Phase A is the first level of wildfire-prevention restrictions, generally implemented when the fire danger is Moderate to High. Restrictions under Phase A include:

Chainsaws may be operated only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time. A one-hour fire watch is required after saw operations cease. Saw operators are required to have an axe (minimum 2 lb. head, 26” length), shovel (8” wide, 26” length), and fire extinguisher (minimum ABC 8 oz.) in their possession at all times. (Chainsaw operation associated with commercial and personal-use firewood permits are regulated under the conditions of the permit and are not impacted by this PUR.)
Smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles, buildings, or cleared areas.
Vehicle travel is allowed only on roads and trails that are clear of standing grass or other flammable material. Off-road or off-trail vehicle travel is not allowed, nor is vehicle travel on National Forest roads where access has been impeded or blocked by earthen berm, logs, boulders, barrier, barricade, or gate, or as otherwise identified in a Fire Order.

Everyone is encouraged to be very careful with campfires when recreating in dispersed and developed campsites. Forest officials recommend the following campfire safety precautions:

Campfires should be in fire pits surrounded by dirt, rock, or commercial rings and in areas not conducive to rapid fire spread. All flammable material shall be cleared within a 3-foot radius from the edge of the pit and free of overhanging material. Use existing pits wherever possible.
Campfires must be attended at all times, and completely extinguished prior to leaving.
Anyone with a campfire should have a tool that can serve as a shovel and at least one gallon of water, so they will be prepared to completely extinguish the campfire.

As Smokey says, “Only you can prevent wildfires!” Everyone has a part to play as fire danger levels increase. Recreationists, campers, firewood cutters, hunters, and other forest users can all help by closely adhering to restrictions, operating safely and cautiously, and keeping up to date on the latest orders and regulations.

Separate restrictions may be in effect on State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast Oregon. For more information, contact your local ODF office or visit the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center website at http://www.bmidc.org.