Darcy Weseman (541) 278-3722
Peter Fargo (541) 523-1231, Travis Mason-Bushman (541) 523-1208
PENDLETON and BAKER CITY, Ore. – Due to increased fire danger and dry weather conditions, Phase A of the Public Use Restrictions (PURs) for smoking, off-road travel, and chainsaw use will go into effect on the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, July 26, 2019.
Phase A is the first level of wildfire-prevention
restrictions, generally implemented when the fire danger is moderate to high.
PURs are phased in as conditions warrant and may differ from Forest to Forest.
Restrictions under Phase A include:
·
Chainsaws may
be operated only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time. A one-hour
fire watch is required after saw operations cease. Saw operators are required
to have an axe (minimum 2 lb. head, 26” length), shovel (8” wide, 26” length),
and fire extinguisher (minimum ABC 8 oz.) in their possession. **Chainsaw
operation associated with commercial and personal use firewood permits are
regulated under the conditions of the permit and are not impacted by this PUR.
·
Smoking is
allowed only in enclosed vehicles, buildings, or cleared areas.
·
Vehicle
travel is allowed only on roads and trails that are clear of standing grass or
other flammable material. Off-road or off-trail vehicle travel is not allowed,
nor is vehicle travel on National Forest roads where access has been impeded or
blocked by earthen berm, logs, boulders, barrier, barricade or gate, or as
otherwise identified in the Fire Order.
The public is also encouraged to be very
careful with campfires when recreating in dispersed and developed campsites.
Forest officials recommend the following campfire safety precautions:
·
Campfires should
be in fire pits surrounded by dirt, rock, or commercial rings and in areas not
conducive to rapid fire spread. All
flammable material shall be cleared within a 3-foot radius from the edge of the
pit and free of overhanging material. Use existing pits wherever possible.
·
Campfires
must be attended at all times, and completely extinguished prior to leaving.
·
Anyone with a
campfire should have a tool that can serve as a shovel and at least one gallon
of water, so they will be prepared to completely extinguish the campfire.
The public’s awareness of the increasing
fire danger and cooperation is essential to a safe fire season. Recreationists,
firewood cutters, hunters, and other forest users can all help by closely
adhering to restrictions, operating safely and cautiously, and keeping
up-to-date on the latest orders and regulations.
Regulated closures may be 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 PURs on lands protected by ODF. For more complete
information, contact a local Oregon Department of Forestry office or visit one
of the interagency dispatch center’s webpages:
Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch
webpage: www.bmidc.org
John Day
Interagency Dispatch webpage: http://bicc-jdidc.org/index.shtml
Similar restrictions may also 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://www.dnr.wa.gov/.
Please remember that it is everyone’s responsibility
to know what restrictions are in place when visiting public lands. For more
information regarding restrictions on the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National
Forests, please contact:
Umatilla National Forest:
Information
Hotline: Toll-Free (877) 958-9663
Twitter: @UmatillaNF
Wallowa-Whitman National
Forest:
Information
Hotlines: Baker City (541) 523-6391; La Grande (541) 962-8500; Joseph (541)
426-5546
Twitter: @WallowaWhitman
###
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