Fire season still in effect, some additional restrictions ease

La Grande, OR—A more traditional fall weather pattern has settled in over the region, but fire danger is still a concern for ODF fire managers. Fire season will remain in effect until adequate amounts of precipitation warrant an end to the fire season. ODF’s additional public use restrictions are terminated as of 12:01 a.m., October 5, 2018. General fire season restrictions mean that burn permits are required for all open fires (except campfires), debris burns and burn barrels. ODF will still need to issue a burn permit for all open burns or burn barrels within the protection district until fire season is terminated. Camp fires are allowed with landowner permission.

“While fall is definitely in the air, we need people to still use extreme caution when they’re out and about. Conditions can change rapidly on a warm or windy day, especially in the lighter fuels and lower elevations. Make sure all fires are dead out and cool before leaving the area. This is when we see our human caused fire numbers really climb.” said Logan McCrae, La Grande Unit Forester.

This year, humans have caused 40 fires on the Northeast Oregon District. These fires have totaled over 185 acres burned.

Restrictions including the use of chainsaws, mowing, or cutting, welding and grinding have been terminated. It is important to remember the use of exploding targets, as well as tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge are prohibited during fire season. The use of sky lanterns is prohibited throughout the year in Oregon.

The Northeast Oregon District includes private, state, county, municipal and tribal lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry in seven counties: Union, Baker, Wallowa, Umatilla, and small portions of Malheur, Morrow and Grant.

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

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