ONSET OF SUMMER WEATHER KICKS OFF FIRE SEASON IN NORTHEAST OREGON

Winter snowpack and spring precipitation has further eased the drought conditions which plagued Northeast Oregon over the past several years. These precipitation amounts have brought with them a return to more normal conditions throughout the region. Current and forecasted consistently high temperatures have prompted fire officials with Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to declare FIRE SEASON beginning at 12:01 a.m., Monday, June 26 for forest and range lands protected by ODF Northeast Oregon District. “The winter and early spring moisture was certainly a blessing, but it has brought with it vast amounts of light fuels in the lower elevations.” Logan McCrae, La Grande Unit Forester said. “These light fuels will dry out quickly and become a fire hazard in the near future.” The fire season declaration places fire prevention restrictions on landowners and the public. Additionally, fire prevention regulations on industrial logging and forest management activities are put into place. Lands affected include private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands in Union, Baker, Wallowa, and Umatilla counties along with small portions of Malheur, Morrow and Grant counties within the Northeast Oregon Forest Protection District. This area encompasses over 2 million protected acres in northeast Oregon. The public are urged to use caution in areas of dry, cured vegetation. McCrae states “There is perhaps a false sense that fire conditions won’t be too bad this summer with the spring moisture, but we need people to work and recreate safely, as well as keep an eye out for fire starts.”

During Fire Season:

 Burn Permits for burn barrels and all open burning except camp fires are required on all private forest and range lands within the Northeast Forest Protection District of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). Contact your local ODF office in La Grande, Baker City, Wallowa, or Pendleton to acquire a Burn Permit.

 Landowners who conducted burning of slash piles last fall and this past spring are encouraged to check the piles to ensure that they are completely out and all heat is gone. It is not uncommon for recently burned slash piles to retain heat in them for several months after the actual burning of the piles.

 Logging and other industrial operations must meet requirements for fire prevention, such as fire tools, water supply, and watchman service when those operations are occurring on lands protected by ODF. Contact your local Stewardship Forester at any ODF office for more information.

 Campfires must be DEAD OUT! Recreationists are reminded that campfires need to be attended and fully extinguished before being left. Get permission from the landowner prior to starting a campfire.

For further information, contact the Oregon Department of Forestry at these local offices:
La Grande Unit (541) 963-3168
Baker City Sub-Unit (541) 523-5831
Wallowa Unit (541) 886-2881
Pendleton Unit (541) 276-3491

To report a fire, dial 9-1-1.

For information on the weekends call:
Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center La Grande (541) 963-7171

Please check with your local Forest Service office for fire regulations on National Forest land. Information on Public-Use Restrictions on the Oregon Department of Forestry, Umatilla National Forest and Wallowa Whitman National Forest can be found at http://bmidc.org/index.shtml under
Current Information: Fire Restrictions.

http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/ is your spot for current fire information in the Blue Mountains.

See Oregon Department of Forestry-Northeast Oregon District on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/oregondeptofforestryNEO/
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