Public Use Restrictions Eased on the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests

News Contacts:  Darcy Weseman (541) 278-3722                                                   

                             Mark Penninger (541) 519-4623

Campfires allowed in designated recreation sites only

Chainsaw use without valid permit remains prohibited

PENDLETON and BAKER CITY, Ore. – Public use restrictions on the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests will drop to PHASE B as of 12:01 AM on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017.  Phase B allows the use of campfires in designated recreation sites only.  Restrictions pertaining to the use of chainsaws, internal combustion engines, generators and smoking remain in effect.

Beginning Thursday, campfires will ONLY be allowed in designated campgrounds and identified recreation sites. A list of designated recreation sites is available on each forest’s websites.  Liquefied or bottled gas stoves and heaters are allowed for cooking and heating.

Operating an internal combustion engine, such as a chainsaw, is prohibited. This restriction applies to all internal combustion engines except motor vehicles. Firewood cutting is not allowed, unless the operator has a valid personal use firewood permit.  The public is reminded that personal-use firewood cutting with a valid permit is governed under current Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) restrictions.  Current IFPL Levels are posted on the John Day Interagency website at http://bicc-jdidc.org/jdidc/intelreport.shtml and on the Blue Mountain Interagency website at http://bmidc.org/ifpls.shtml.

Generators will only be allowed in the center of an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable material, or; when fully contained within a pickup truck bed that is devoid of all flammable material, or; when factory installed in a recreational vehicle and the generator exhaust discharge is located in the center of an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable material.

Smoking is only allowed within enclosed vehicles, buildings, and developed recreation sites or when stopped in an area cleared of all flammable material.

As a reminder, travel restrictions prohibit motor vehicles traveling off of designated Forest roads and trails, except for the purposes of going to or from campsites located within 300 feet of an open road. Motorized travel on segments of road where access is blocked by gate, barricade, log, boulder or earthen berm is also prohibited.  Vehicles must still abide by all laws and regulations pertaining to the area of travel.

Regulated closures are in effect on State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast and central Oregon.  Please check with your local Oregon Department of Forestry office for public use restrictions on lands protected by ODF.  Visit the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch webpage at: www.bmidc.org or contact a local Oregon Department of Forestry office for more complete information.  Similar restrictions may be in effect on State and private lands protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA-DNR).  More information can be found on the WA-DNR website at: http://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/firedanger/BurnRisk.aspx

For more information regarding Phase B Public Use Restrictions, please contact:

Umatilla National Forest:

Information Hotline: Toll-Free (877) 958-9663

www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF

Twitter: @UmatillaNF

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest:

Information Hotlines: Baker City (541) 523-1234; La Grande (541) 962-8679; Joseph (541) 426-5552

www.facebook.com/WallowaWhitmanNF

Twitter: @WallowaWhitman

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