Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands see lower Public Use Restrictions

La Grande, OR— Oregon Department of Forestry fire managers in Northeast Oregon have lowered Public Use Restrictions (officially referred to as Regulated Use Closure), in response to the recent precipitation and cooler temperatures. Although restrictions are being lowered slightly, fire danger remains Moderate to High and fire restrictions are still in place. With lightning caused fires less likely during fall months, human caused fires become the primary concern for firefighters. Landowners and the public are asked to continue to exercise caution until the end of fire season has been declared.
As of September 14th at 12:01 a.m., Public Use Restrictions still in effect include the following:

• Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at designated locations. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.

• Debris burning is prohibited, except in a burn barrel for which a valid Burning Permit has been issued.

• 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.

• Non-Industrial chainsaw use is prohibited, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Chainsaw use is permitted at all other hours, if the following firefighting 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 1 hour following the use of each saw.

• 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.

• Mowing of dried and 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 by 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.

• Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on
state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2
½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.

Other general fire season restrictions are:

• Debris burning is prohibited, except in burn barrels for which a Burning Permit has been
issued.

• Use of exploding targets is prohibited.

• Use of tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base is
prohibited.

The use of sky lanterns is prohibited throughout the year in Oregon.

The Regulated Use Closure for ODF’s Northeast Oregon District affects private, state,
county, municipal, and tribal lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in
seven counties: Union, Baker, Wallowa, Umatilla, and small portions of Malheur, Morrow
and Grant.

Please note that when traveling from private lands onto federally managed lands, land
use restrictions may differ. Please check restrictions before conducting outdoor activities.
More information regarding fire danger can be found at www.bmidc.org/restrictions.shtml.
To report a fire, call Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch at (541)963-7171 or dial 9-1-1.

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