By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, June 29th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON – (Release from the U.S. Forest Service) As weather conditions get warmer and drier, National Forest officials would like to remind the public to use safety precautions when building campfires.
All campfires should be in a fire pit surrounded by dirt, rock, or commercial rings, in areas cleared of all flammable material within a three-foot radius from the edge of the pit, and free of overhanging material. Forest visitors should also carry a shovel and at least one gallon of water while building and tending campfires. These guidelines apply to the use of charcoal briquettes as well.
While lightning is the leading cause of wildfires in Blue Mountains forests, human-caused fires are preventable. Human-caused fires are also unpredictable and can stretch firefighting resources thin, especially when lightning-caused fires require firefighters’ attention at the same time. By following tried and true campfire safety practices now, we can all do our part to prevent wildfires this summer and fall.
As fire danger levels increase, the National Forests will implement Public Use Restrictions, also known as PURs, which limit the use of campfires, chainsaws, smoking, and off-road motorized travel. PURs will be implemented in phases, based on increased fire danger, hot and dry weather conditions, and concern for public safety.
Forest officials recommend the following campfire safety precautions:
For more information on Public Use Restrictions and fire danger levels, please contact your local Forest Service office or visit one of the following websites:
Malheur National Forest:
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur
Supervisor’s Office: John Day (541) 575-3000; Prairie City (541) 820-3800; Hines (541) 573-4300
www.facebook.com/MalheurNationalForest
Twitter: @MalheurNF
Umatilla National Forest:
Toll-Free (877) 958-9663
Facebook: www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF
Twitter: @UmatillaNF
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest:
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman/
Baker City (541) 523-6391; La Grande (541) 962-8500; Joseph (541) 426-5546 www.facebook.com/WallowaWhitmanNF
Twitter: @WallowaWhitman