JOHN DAY, PENDLETON, and BAKER CITY, Ore. – Forest officials for the Malheur, Umatilla and
Wallowa-Whitman National Forests remind the public that seasonal safety
regulations for building campfires when recreating on the three national
forests will begin starting June 1.
These
seasonal restrictions are in affect annually from June 1 through October 31 and
require visitors to build their campfire in a fire pit surrounded by dirt,
rock, or commercial rings, in areas cleared of all flammable material within a
three-foot radius from the edge of the pit and free of overhanging material. A
shovel and one gallon of water are required to be in your possession while
building and tending campfires. These
requirements also apply to the use of charcoal briquettes.
Campfires
often serve as the centerpiece of family campsites across the three national
forests and forest managers understand campfires are an important part of the
outdoor camping experience and tradition.
“The intent is to allow campfire use while
promoting safe campfire building techniques that, in the long run, will protect
lives, property, and our natural landscapes,” said Brett Thomas, Umatilla Fire Management Officer.
The
seasonal regulation does not prohibit the use of campfires, when conditions
permit; it only designates proper conditions for safe campfires. The June 1
date for campfire safety regulations in dispersed and developed campsites is
meant to encourage campfire safety before fire season comes full-swing.
“There’s
a long history of wildfire in the Blue Mountains and we do not expect that to
change” added Thomas. “While lightning is the number one cause of
wildfires in this area, human-caused wildfires are preventable, unpredictable
and can occur anywhere with no warning.”
“We
can get very busy at this time of year dealing with the lightning caused fires,
so preventing the added workload from human caused wildfires is our ultimate
goal. Historically, the public has practiced safe campfire techniques and it is
much appreciated,” shared Ron Simpson, Malheur Deputy Fire Staff Officer.
“The summer of
2018 is expected
to be warmer
and drier than average, which
will increase the potential for human caused fires in the tri-forest region,”
said Simpson.
The
Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook predicts the Pacific Northwest to
be above normal by July. A normal transition of fire season activity west and
north is expected through July as warmer and drier than average conditions
develop across the western states. Of concern is the preexisting grass crop
from 2017 and the new growth which will cure by July across California, the Great
Basin, and Oregon. Higher, timbered
elevations in these areas will become a concern by July as the past winter’s
below average snowpack melts allowing for the high elevation fuels to become
dry enough to support fire activity.
During
times of high or extreme fire danger, forests will implement additional Public
Use Restrictions, also known as PURs, which will further restrict the use of
campfires, chainsaws, smoking, and travel.
PURs will be implemented in phases, based on increased fire danger, hot
and dry weather conditions, and concern for public safety.
Forest
officials recommend the following campfire safety precautions:
•
Always abide by local campfire laws.
•
Only adults should build and maintain
campfires.
•
Find a shady spot away from dry logs,
overhanging branches, bushes, needles, or leaves.
•
Use existing fire-rings where it is
safe to do so. Don’t build fire-rings in roads.
•
Keep campfire rings small and use wood
no bigger than the ring.
•
Keep tents and other burnable
materials away from the fire.
•
Never leave a campfire unattended.
Those leaving campfires unattended can be billed for the cost of fire
suppression.
•
Drown the campfire with water and stir
charred material.
•
When leaving, make sure your fire is
DEAD OUT. Very carefully feel all sticks and charred remains. Make sure no
roots are smoldering. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave.
For
more information on public use restrictions, contact your local Forest Service
office or visit our websites:
Malheur National Forest:
John
Day, Ore. (541) 575-3000; Prairie City, Ore. (541) 820-3800; Hines, Ore. (541)
573-4300
Twitter:
@MalheurNF
Umatilla National Forest:
Toll-Free
(877) 958-9663
Twitter:
@UmatillaNF
Wallowa-Whitman
National Forest:
Baker
City, Ore. (541) 523-1234; La Grande, Ore. (541) 962-8679; Joseph, Ore. (541)
426-5552
Twitter:
@WallowaWhitman
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