Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Implements Public Use Restriction Phase C and Industrial Fire Protection Level IV

By Joe Hathaway on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

NORTHEAST OREGON – The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest fire prevention team has upgraded the Forest’s Public Use Restrictions (PUR) to Phase C and the Industrial Fire Protection to Level IV, both effective at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23.

With tinder-dry forest fuels and high daytime temperatures, conditions are primed for potential human-caused forest fires. Forest officials urge extreme caution when visiting the forest.

Under PUR Phase C, the following restrictions apply:

Campfires: Prohibited. Only liquid and bottle gas stoves are permitted.
Internal Combustion Engines: Prohibited, except for motor vehicles.
Smoking: Allowed only in enclosed vehicles and buildings, developed recreation sites, or cleared areas.
Vehicle Travel: Off-road or off-trail vehicle travel is prohibited. Travel on roads not cleared of standing grass or other flammable material is also prohibited. No vehicle travel is allowed on Forest Service roads obstructed by earthen berms, logs, boulders, barriers, barricades, or gates, as specified in the Fire Order.

Under Industrial Fire Protection Level IV:

General Shutdown: All operations are prohibited.

The continuing heat, wind, and dangerously dry weather across Eastern Oregon has created conditions that could cause a fire to spread quickly. Separate rules apply within a quarter mile of the Wild and Scenic portions of the Snake River and Grande Ronde River. Public lands in Idaho administered by the Wallowa-Whitman follow separate Idaho Fire Restrictions.

Amid widespread smoke across Northeast Oregon, residents and visitors are advised to stay safe, check on family and friends with respiratory issues, and stay informed about air quality through AirNow.

Stay informed on the latest fire information and observe emergency closure areas as conditions can change quickly: