As of 12:01 a.m., August 31, 2023, Oregon Department of
Forestry (ODF) has officially reduced fire restrictions in the Northeast Oregon
District from high to moderate. This change comes in response to recent
favorable weather conditions across our region, including cooler temperatures
and increased precipitation. While this adjustment allows for some relief in
public use fire restrictions, residents and visitors must remain vigilant and
adaptable in the face of evolving fire conditions.
Despite the easing of Public
Use fire restrictions, the Fire Season remains in effect for private, state,
county, municipal, and tribal lands under the protection of the Oregon
Department of Forestry. The following guidelines are now in place:
- Campfires Allowed with Landowner
Permission: Campfires are now permitted with
landowner permission. However, ensuring that campfires are always attended
to and extinguished adequately before leaving is crucial.
- Possession
of the following firefighting equipment is required; shovel or other firefighting
tool, minimum of 1-gallon of water, or 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher
and a fire watch at least one hour after extinguishing.
PROHIBTED:
- Debris Burning and Burn Barrels:
All open debris burning and burn barrels are prohibited until further
notice.
- Use of exploding targets.
- Use of tracer ammunition or any bullet
with a pyrotechnic charge in its base.
- Use of sky lanterns throughout the year
in Oregon.
The Northeast Oregon District
encompasses lands in Union, Baker, Umatilla, Wallowa, and small portions of
Grant, Morrow, and Malheur counties. It's important to note that fire
restrictions may vary on lands protected by rural fire departments or managed
by the US Forest Service or BLM (Bureau of Land Management).
More information on fire
restrictions can be found on the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center
website at www.bmidc.org. For more information on fire
prevention restrictions in the Northeast Oregon District, call (541)975-3027.
In a fire emergency, promptly
report it to the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center at (541) 963-7171 or
dial 9-1-1. Stay informed about current fire-related updates in the Blue
Mountains by visiting http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.
The Oregon Department of
Forestry appreciates the cooperation and vigilance of the public in helping to
ensure the safety of our communities during this fire season.
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