Deschutes County lifts fire-use restrictions

Earlier this summer, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2014-072, which imposed fire use restrictions on unprotected wild lands within unincorporated Deschutes County.

Since current weather patterns have decreased the threat and likelihood of high intensity wild land fires, the Board of Commissioners rescinded the resolution, which was originally set to expire on Wednesday, October 15.

Going into fire season this year, Central Oregon had a below-average snow pack and as a result, the threat for wild land fires was high. Those conditions, along with the extreme fire behavior exhibited by the Two Bulls Fire, compelled the Board to pass the resolution-anticipating an extraordinary fire season.

The Two Bulls Fire resulted in significant evacuation notices and evacuations, and a FEMA declaration (which was the earliest declaration in Oregon history).

Deschutes County urges residents to be fire safe year-round and to always make sure campfires are COMPLETELY out before leaving them unattended.

For more information about protecting your neighborhood and home from wild land fire, please visit www.projectwildfire.org, or call the Deschutes County Forester at (541) 322-7117.