Regulated-Use Closure terminated on lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Season still in effect

As of 12:01 am, September 10, 2019, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has terminated the Regulated-Use Closure, or Public Use Restrictions for forestlands protected by the Northeast Oregon District.  Due to moderating weather and seasonal temperatures and precipitation, the closure and the associated fire prevention restrictions are no longer necessary.  Campfires fires are now allowed with landowner permission.  Steve Meyer, Baker Wildland Fire Supervisor, cautions “The recent precipitation has been welcome across the region.  Although we seem to have entered a fall weather pattern, it’s important to stay aware of how quickly conditions can change.  A warm or breezy day can dry the lighter fuels out and we can quickly be back into a dangerous fire situation.  Making sure that campfires and burn barrels are always attended is a good step towards fire safety.  Ensure the fire is dead out before leaving.”

While Public Use fire restrictions have eased, Fire Season remains in effect for private, state, county, municipal and tribal lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry.  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 any open burns or burn barrels within the protection district until weather conditions warrant an end to fire season.    

The Northeast Oregon District includes lands in the following counties:  Union, Baker, Umatilla, Wallowa and small portions of Grant, Morrow and Malheur counties.

To obtain a burn permit from ODF, call your local ODF office:

La Grande Unit           (541)963-3168

Baker City Sub-Unit   (541)523-5831

Wallowa Unit              (541)886-2881

Pendleton Unit            (541)276-3491

Fire restrictions may differ on lands protected by rural fire departments or lands managed by the US Forest Service or BLM.  Check local regulations before burning.  More information on fire restrictions can be found the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center website at www.bmidc.org.

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

        

http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/ is your spot for current fire information in the Blue Mountains. 

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