Fire season on C.O. state-protected lands starts Monday

The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District said Friday it will implement fire season on Monday at 12:01 a.m.

The ODF’s Central Oregon District includes approximately 2.3 million acres of private, state, and municipally owned forestland throughout central Oregon.

Fire season declaration heightens awareness of increasing hazardous fuel conditions and fire growth potential in wildland fuels.

” Late May rain really helped reduce the fire risk in our fuels. But the recent warming trend is quickly drying fuels again, and with limited moisture in the forecast, it is unlikely that the risk will drop again. ” said Rob Pentzer , district forester for Central Oregon.

Fire season in the district typically starts early to mid-June, based on current conditions and forecast weather. Last year, June 1 marked the start of fire season on ODF-protected lands.

With the implementation of fire season, logging and other industrial operations must meet requirements for fire prevention such as fire tools, water supply, and watchman service when those operations are occurring on lands protected by ODF.

In addition to fire season restrictions, Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1 (IFPL) will be in effect for lands protected by ODF in Hood River and Wasco counties. Details for fire season and IFPL requirements are available at www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/pages/FirePrevention.aspx, or contact your local stewardship forester for more information.

Campfires are allowed, but should be DEAD OUT! and cool to the touch when you leave. The use of tracer ammunition and exploding targets is prohibited during fire season. Sky lanterns and other luminaries are prohibited at all times in Oregon.

Year to date for 2019, there have been 14 human-caused fires that burned more than 15 acres within the district. Nine of these fires are linked to escape debris burns.

Landowners who burned earlier this winter or spring should check their burn piles and verify there is no longer heat in the burned area. Burn barrels are allowed by permit in The Dalles Unit (Wasco and Hood River counties) until 11:00 a.m., however open burning is no longer permitted across the District.

For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com .