Fire season eases; precaution, danger levels lowered

Fire officials said Friday they have seen an overall cooling trend in Central Oregon, with reduced fire activity, in addition to some precipitation, so they have dropped the Industrial Fire Precaution Level to 1, its lowest level.

The Prineville District Bureau of Land Management, the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland are have also lowered the Fire Danger level to moderate.

The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL), which regulates permitted and commercial activities on federal lands, has dropped to a Level I. Under this level, commercial and personal woodcutting is allowed at any time of day, although firewood cutters are still encouraged to be mindful and prepared for any unintentional ignitions from equipment.

Officials want to remind the public that using explosive target material, such as Tannerite, explosives and fireworks continue to be prohibited on all federal lands.

Fire officials also want to remind people recreating on public lands to continue to use caution because while the weather has moderated, wildfires are still possible — as evidence by a small, roughly 6-acre blaze west of Bend, near Kent’s Trail and FS Road 4610 that put up smoke and caused concern late Thursday afternoon. While the cause was under investigation, an official said it likely was a warming fire not fully extinguished

All campfires, including warming fires used by hunters, should be cold to the touch when not being watched.

Every fire that’s prevented protects our communities and helps our firefighters remain available, rested, and safe, they said.