Umatilla National Forest increases public use restrictions
By Terry Murry on Friday, July 24th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA NATIONAL FOREST – Forest officials have announced that the forest is now under Phase C of public use restrictions. The upgrade is due to continued hot temperatures, a lack of moisture, and extreme fire danger.
Due to safety concerns coupled with the increased potential for human-caused fires, officials say even a spark can rapidly become a large wildfire.
Phase C is the third level of restrictions on the forest and includes a ban of campfires on the forest. Liquefied and bottle gas stoves and heaters may be used in an area cleared three feet of all flammable material.
Also:
• No internal combustion engine operation (including chainsaws), except for motorized vehicles may be used.
o Generators will only be allowed if located in an area that has been cleared at least 10 feet in diameter of all flammable material or when factory installed in a recreational vehicle and the exhaust discharge is located in the center of an area at least 10 feet in diameter cleared of all flammable material.
• No off-road/off-trail vehicle travel or travel on roads not cleared of standing grass or other flammable material. Vehicle travel is never permitted on currently closed Forest Service roads where access has been impeded or blocked by earthen berms, logs, barriers, barricades or gates, or as otherwise identified in a closure order. Vehicles must be parked in an area within 10 feet of the roadway that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
• Smoking is only allowed in enclosed vehicles, buildings or cleared areas.
Regulated closures may be in effect on state and private lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in northeast and Central Oregon. For that information, contact a local ODF office.
Photo of the Paradise Fire on Umatilla National Forest
