Wallowa-Whitman National Forest begins public use restrictions (PUR) amidst hot/dry weather
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, July 12th, 2024 in Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY – (Release from the U.S. Forest Service) Wallowa-Whitman National Forest leadership have upgraded the Forest’s Public Use Restrictions to PUR Phase A effective at 00:01 Friday, July 12 and will continue until further notice.
Use of Chainsaws: Chainsaws may be operated only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time. This prohibition does not apply to personal-use and commercial firewood permit holders operating under the terms of their permit. Except for motor vehicles, combustion engines may not be used without a spark-arresting device properly installed, maintained, and ineffective working order per Forest Service Standard 5100-1. 36 CFR § 261.520).
Traveling Off Developed Forest Roads and Trails is Not Allowed, except for the purpose of going to and from a campsite located within 300 feet of the open developed road. All motorized travel on roads closed by gates, barricades, berms, rocks, or logs is prohibited.
No Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, developed recreation site or while stopped in an area that is cleared of flammable material within at least three feet.
FIRE & STOVE RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
A shovel and at least a gallon of water should be present at all times. Fires should be drowned and stirred – then drowned and stirred again – until cool enough to touch.
Keep campfires and charcoal briquette fires contained in an earthen pit, metal fire ring, or rock ring, with all combustible material removed within a 5-foot radius of the perimeter of the fire ring – and clear of overhanging material.
Portable cooking stoves and portable fireplaces should have all combustible material removed within a 5-foot radius. Wood burning stoves should be equipped with a chimney at least 5-feet in length and a spark-arresting screen consisting of ¼-inch mesh hardware cloth.
Campfires are restricted in the Eagle Cap Wilderness to reduce impacts on lakes. Please review the rules on the back of your Wilderness permit.
Separate rules apply within a ¼ mile of the Wild and Scenic portions of the Snake River fs.usda.gov/alerts/wallowa-whitman/alerts-notices Public lands in Idaho administered by the Wallowa-Whitman follow separate Idaho Fire Restrictions idahofireinfo.com/p/fire-restrictions.html
Year after year, well over 80% of wildfires are caused by humans nation-wide. You can help us lower that number by observing all local fire restrictions and following proper fire prevention practices. Before you head out, check forest websites and social media accounts for current information.
Our highest priority is always public and firefighter safety. We encourage visitors to stay informed on the latest fire information and observe emergency closure areas as conditions can change quickly:
Note: Within the Grande Ronde Scenic Waterway, campfires must be contained in a fireproof container (i.e., “fire pan”) with sides of a height sufficient to contain all ash and debris, and all ashes and debris must be removed from the river corridor. Do not use or construct fire pits or rock fire rings within the Scenic Waterway.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/wallowa-whitman/fire
http://bmidc.org/restrictions.shtml
