[Prineville, Ore.] – Regulated Closure restrictions on lands protected by Oregon Department
of Forestry’s Central Oregon District will be reduced as of 12:01 a.m. on
September 12, 2018. These restrictions
are intended to limit human caused fires, which represent nearly 60% of the
fires in the District this year. Fuel
conditions are still very dry for this time of year and have the potential for
rapid fire growth as recent fires have exhibited. Cooler temperatures, increased humidity, and
shorter days have significant influence on fire behavior and the ability of firefighters
to control wildfires. “Our concern now,
is that people become complacent and don’t recognize that the fire risk remains
just because it feels like fall,”
says Kristin Dodd, Unit Forester in The Dalles Unit. “We need everyone to remain vigilant and
follow the restrictions.”
The primary change to the Regulated
Closure is mowing of dried grass, chainsaw use, and welding/cutting of metal is
now restricted between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. All of the restrictions can be found at www.odfcentraloregon.com and are
listed at the bottom of this news release.
In addition to reducing the Regulated
Closure there are some changes and conditions specific to each unit within the
Central Oregon District. These details
are explained below.
Prineville-Sisters Unit— Fuel conditions in the Unit remain extremely flammable. The additional restrictions in place on
industrial operations remain in effect.
No open burning is allowed on lands within the Prineville Unit,
including burn barrels.
The Dalles Unit—
The current burn ban in Wasco and Hood River counties remains in effect. All open burning, including burn barrels is
prohibited. Industrial Fire Precaution Levels in MH-1 and MH-4 will be reduced
to Level 2 at 12:01 a.m. on September 12, 2018.
Information for these restrictions can be found at https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/ifpl.html.
John Day Unit— All
open burning, including burn barrels, on lands protected by the John Day Unit
is prohibited during Fire Season. Additional
restrictions on industrial operations remain in effect.
The weather forecast calls for
continued dry conditions with a slight chance of precipitation later this week. Managers will continue to evaluate fire
danger and adjust restrictions as conditions allow. If you are unsure of any restriction or have
questions please contact your local Oregon Department of Forestry Office. Contact information is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com.
Activities
below are restricted by this closure. The
full proclamation can be accessed at www.Oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx
· Possession of the following
firefighting equipment is required while traveling in a motorized vehicle,
except on federal and state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel
and one gallon of water or one operational 2½ pound or larger fire
extinguisher, except all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles which must be
equipped with an approved spark arrestor in good working condition.
· Smoking is prohibited while traveling,
except in vehicles on improved roads.
· Open fires are prohibited, including
campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except in
designated areas. Portable cooking
stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed. Open fires are allowed if
conducted in compliance with a valid Burning Permit issued pursuant to ORS
477.515.
· Chainsaw use is prohibited, between
the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Chainsaw use is permitted at all other hours, if the following
firefighting equipment is present with each operating saw: one axe, one shovel,
and one operational 8 ounce or larger fire extinguisher. In addition, a fire watch is required at
least one hour following the use of each saw.
· Mowing of dried grass with power
driven equipment is prohibited, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.,
except for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.
· Cutting, grinding and welding of
metal is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. At all other times the area is to be cleared
of flammable vegetation and the following fire equipment is required: one axe,
one shovel, and one operational 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher in good
working order.
· Use of motor vehicles, including
motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, is prohibited, except on improved roads
and except for vehicle use by a landowner and employees of the landowner upon
their own land while conducting activities associated with their livelihood.
· Use of fireworks is prohibited.
· Blasting is prohibited.
· Any electric fence controller in use
shall be: 1) Listed be a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be
certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and 2) Operated
in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Aside from these restrictions, also
prohibited throughout fire season is backyard debris burning, the use of
exploding targets and tracer ammunition.
