Fire Restrictions Eased for Department of Forestry Protected Lands

[PRINEVILLE, Ore.]  Recent cooler temperatures, increased humidity and precipitation within Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District has reduced fuel hazards and the risk of rapid fire spread.  Lands protected by the Central Oregon District are at a high fire danger.  While the current fall weather trend, combined with shorter days has not eliminated the risk of wildfire the reduced risk allows fire managers to ease restrictions.

The Regulated-Use Closure in effect for public activities within the District will return to a 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. restriction for high risk activities such as mowing dry grass and chainsaw use.  While traveling in forested areas a fire extinguisher/gallon of water and a shovel are required.  Details for the Regulated-Use Closure are available at www.odfcentraloregon.com.  All open burning is prohibited. 

“We ask the public to be patient and continue to follow the restrictions to reduce the risk of fires at this point,” says Gordon Foster, Prineville Unit Forester.

Additional Industrial Precautions in the John Day and Prineville units are terminated as of September 25, 2020.  Fire season requirements remain in place, including the need for a fire watch following industrial activities.  This applies to lands in Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Morrow, Umatilla, Grant, Lake, and Malheur counties protected by the Central Oregon District.  Beginning September 28, 2020 lands in MH-1(Wasco County) will move to Industrial Fire Precaution Level 2 and MH-4 (Hood River County) will move to Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1.

ODF’s Central Oregon District continues to serve landowners and the public as an essential service for Oregonians.  Please call or email to talk with our staff or schedule an appointment.  For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.

Restrictions for Industrial Operations Reduced on ODF Protected Lands

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  Industrial Fire Precaution Levels for Oregon Department of Forestry lands in Hood River and Wasco counties (MH-1 and MH-4) will be reduced to Level 3 at 12:01 a.m. September 21, 2020.  This will allow industrial operations to resume, but operators must follow restrictions including suspension of most activities between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. and conducting a firewatch following daily operations.  The full close down order is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com. 

“The rain was a welcome sight, however fuel conditions remain dry,” says Kiel Nairns, Wildland Fire Supervisor for The Dalles Unit.  “This was not a season ending event, but does allow us to resume limited industrial operations at this time.”

A regulated-use closure remains in effect for activities such as mowing of dry grass, chainsaw use, and open fire restrictions.  The closure also requires those traveling on forest roads to carry a shovel and a fire extinguisher (or one gallon of water).  Visit www.odfcentraloregon.com for full details.  The public is asked to be aware of any actions which could cause a wildfire.

ODF’s Central Oregon District continues to serve landowners and the public as an essential service for Oregonians.  Please call or email to talk with our staff or schedule an appointment.  For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.

Increased Restrictions for Industrial Operations on Private Lands in Hood River and Wasco Counties

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  Industrial Fire Precaution Levels for Oregon Department of Forestry lands in Hood River and Wasco counties (MH-1 and MH-4) increased to Level 4 at 5:00 p.m. September 8, 2020.  This increase is a complete shut-down of all industrial activities without a valid waiver from the State Forester.  The intent of the shut-down is to reduce the risk of potential fires ignited from equipment or other industrial activities.

Fuel conditions are extremely dry at this time, with no precipitation in the forecast.  “Fire activity across the state is at historic levels and fire resources are stretched to capacity,” says Brian Reel, Acting Unit Forester for ODF’s The Dalles Unit.  “It is our focus to limit activities that could add another fire to the landscape.”

A regulated-use closure remains in effect for activities such as mowing of dry grass, chainsaw use, and open fire restrictions.  The closure also requires those traveling on forest roads to carry a shovel and a fire extinguisher (or one gallon of water).  Visit www.odfcentraloregon.com for full details.  The public is asked to be aware of any actions which could cause a wildfire.

ODF’s Central Oregon District continues to serve landowners and the public as an essential service for Oregonians.  Please call or email to talk with our staff or schedule an appointment.  For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.