Wallowa-Whitman National Forest lowers public use restrictions to Phase-B Public

BAKER CITY – With recent rains and cooler temperatures, land management agencies across Oregon are cautiously reducing fire danger and public use restriction levels. On Saturday, September 5, the Wallowa Whitman National Forest similarly lowered its Public Use Restrictions (PURs) to Phase B and its Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) to two. Note that, despite this lowering in restrictions, the overall danger still remains high and many recreational and industrial activities remain restricted. The current restrictions, per the new danger levels as released by the Wallowa Whitman National Forest, are as follows:

Under PURs Phase B, the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, except:

1. within a designated campfire ring at a developed recreation site listed in Exhibit A;
2. when the fire is fueled solely by liquid petroleum or liquefied petroleum gas fuels, and flammable vegetation is cleared a minimum of 3-feet away from open flame on all sides;
3. when using a wood burning stove equipped with a chimney at least 5-feet in length and a spark arresting screen consisting of ¼-inch mesh hardware cloth, and all flammable vegetation within a 3-foot radius is cleared, including overhanging material; 
4. within the boundaries of the Eagle Cap Wilderness.  

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 
3. Operating an internal combustion engine in a chainsaw except for persons holding a valid personal use firewood cutting permit and following the conditions outlined in the permit. 
4. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order in accordance with U.S. Forest Service Standard.
5. Possessing or using any vehicle off National Forest System roads or National Forest System signed and designated motorized trails, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.  “Vehicle” means any device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported, including any frame, chassis, or body of any motor vehicle, except devices used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. 
6. Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. 
7. Using an explosive. 

Under IFPL II, the following may operate only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m.:

• Power saws except at loading sites
• cable yarding
• blasting
• welding or cutting of metal

View Phase B Fire Restrictions Forest Order No. 06-16-00-25-01 on the forest’s Alerts webpage or call or visit any Wallowa-Whitman National Forest office. Information about PURs phases and IFPLs can be found on the forest’s fire information webpage or the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center’s website. Additional information about the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest can be found on the forest’s website and Facebook page.

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Elkhorn Media Group