News Contact: Jamie Knight (541) 786-2039

Regulated-Use Closure restrictions eased on Lands Protected by Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Season Still in Effect

As of 12:01 am, September 15, 2017, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has eased restrictions within Regulated-Use Closure for forestlands protected by the Northeast Oregon District. Expected weather patterns have prompted these changes. Fire Season is still in effect and while the timeframes for non-industrial use of chainsaws and certain other activities have expanded, the following still apply under the closure:

• Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water or at a cleared area free of flammable vegetation. 
• Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at designated locations. Designated locations within the Regulated Use Closure Area includes but is not limited to the following Oregon State Parks: Emigrant Springs, Ukiah/Dale, Catherine Creek, Hilgard Jct, Red Bridge, Wallowa Lake, Minam, and Unity Lake. 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.
• Non-Industrial use of chain saws is prohibited, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Chain saw use is permitted at all other hours, if the following fire fighting equipment is present with each operating saw: one axe, one shovel, and one 8 ounce or larger fire extinguisher. In addition, a fire watch is required at least one hour following the use of each saw. 
• Possession of the following fire fighting equipment is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.
• Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is permitted at all other hours, if conducted in a cleared area and if a water supply is present.
• The mowing of dry, cured 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.
• 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.
• Use of fireworks is prohibited.

Aside from these restrictions, also prohibited throughout fire season is the use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition. Debris burning is prohibited, except in burn barrels for which a Burning Permit has been issued pursuant to ORS 477.515. 

While fire restrictions have eased, Regulated Use Closure and Fire Season remain in effect for private, state, county, municipal and tribal lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry. Burn permits are required for burn barrels within the protection district until weather conditions warrant an end to fire season. 

The Northeast Oregon District includes lands in the following counties: Union, Baker, Umatilla, Wallowa and small portions of Grant, Morrow and Malheur counties.

To obtain a burn permit from ODF, call your local ODF office: La Grande Unit (541)963-3168 Baker City Sub-Unit (541)523-5831 Wallowa Unit (541)886-2881 Pendleton Unit (541)276-3491 

Fire restrictions may differ on lands protected by rural fire departments or lands managed by the US Forest Service or BLM. Check local regulations before burning, starting a campfire, or using power equipment such as chainsaws. More information on fire restrictions can be found the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center website at www.bmidc.org. 

To report a fire, call the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center at (541)963-7171, or dial 9-1-1. 

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

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