This Just In: Fire Restrictions at Central Oregon Campgrounds to be Enforced Monday
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Below is a press release from Central Oregon Fire Information announcing fire restrictions for regional campgrounds.
Central Oregon — Due to recent weather patterns, including above-average temperatures, low relative humidity and predicted winds, the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management will move into Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions on Monday, May 18, at 12:01 a.m.
Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires, on Central Oregon public lands, except within the Deschutes National Forest Wilderness areas (Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Three Sisters, Diamond Peak and Mt. Thielsen Wildernesses) and in the following designated areas:
Prineville District Bureau of Land Management
Castle Rock Campground, Chimney Rock Campground, Cobble Rock Campground, Lone Pine Campground, Palisades Campground, Poison Butte Campground, Post Pile Campground, Still Water Campground
Ochoco National Forest
Lookout Mountain Ranger District: Antelope Flat Reservoir, Ochoco Divide Campground, Ochoco Forest Campground, Walton Lake Campground and Wildcat Campground
Paulina Ranger District: Cottonwood Pit, Deep Creek Campground, Sugar Creek Campground, Wolf Creek Campground
Crooked River National Grassland
Haystack Reservoir Campground and Skull Hollow Campground
Deschutes National Forest
Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District: Big River Campground, Big River Group Camp, Bull Bend Campground, Chief Paulina Horse Camp, Cinder Hill Campground, Crane Prairie Campground, Cultus Lake Campground, East Lake Campground, Elk Lake Campground, Fall River Campground, Fall River Guard Station, Gull Point Campground, Lava Lake Campground, Little Crater Campground, Little Cultus Lake Campground, Little Fawn Campground & Group Camp, Little Lava Lake Campground, Mallard Marsh Campground, McKay Crossing Campground, Newberry Group Camp, North Twin Lake Campground, Ogden Group Camp, Paulina Lake Campground, Point Campground, Prairie Campground, Quinn Meadow Horse Camp, Quinn River Campground, Rock Creek Campground, Sheep Bridge Campground, South Campground, South Twin Campground, West South Twin Campground, Wyeth Campground
Crescent Ranger District: Crescent Lake Campground, Odell Lake Resort and Campground, Princess Creek Campground, Shelter Cove Resort and Campground, Simax Group Camp, Spring Campground, Sunset Cove Campground, Trapper Creek Campground, Whitefish Horse Camp, Windy Group Site
Sisters Ranger District: Allen Springs Campground, Allingham Campground, Blue Bay Campground, Camp Sherman Campground, Candle Creek Campground, Cold Springs Campground, Driftwood Campground, Gorge Campground, Graham Corral Horse Camp, Indian Ford Campground, Jack Creek Campground, Lava Camp Lake Campground, Link Creek Campground, Lower Bridge Campground, Lower Canyon Creek Campground, Perry South Campground, Pine Rest Campground, Pioneer Ford Campground, Riverside Campground, Scout Lake Campground, Sheep Springs Horse Camp, Smiling River Campground, South Shore Campground, Three Creek Meadow Campground & Horse Camp, Three Creek Lake Campground, Three Creek Meadow, Whispering Pines Horse Camp
Additionally, under Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions, smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. Traveling off developed roads and trails also is not allowed, except for the purpose of going to and from a campsite located within 300 feet of the open developed road. It is prohibited to possess or use a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads except when operating in compliance with travel management rules and the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).
Liquid and pressurized gas stoves, lanterns and fire pits with an on and off switch are allowed outside of designated campgrounds on all federal lands with the exception of BLM-administered lands along portions of the Crooked River, Deschutes River, John Day River, White River, Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus. These public use restrictions do not replace the BLM’s annual river corridor restrictions which were implemented May 13, 2026, and prohibit campfires, charcoal fires, or any other type of open flame, including portable propane campfires and wood pellet burning devices. Commercially manufactured lanterns and metal camp stoves used for cooking are allowed when fueled with bottled propane or liquid fuel and operated in a responsible manner.
Operating equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, specifically chainsaws and portable generators, is regulated under Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions. Chainsaw use is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., with usage allowed outside of this timeframe. Saw operators must possess a long-handled round point shovel with an 8-inch blade (size 0) and a fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of ABC 8 oz. Additionally, a one-hour fire watch is required after ceasing saw operations. Generators are permitted when fully contained in the bed of a truck or securely attached to a vehicle, provided that they are lifted off the ground or placed in an area cleared of all flammable materials within a 10-foot diameter and equipped with an approved spark arrestor.
Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device or using an explosive is always prohibited on National Forest System lands in Central Oregon and currently prohibited on BLM-administered lands in Central Oregon.
Information on current fire restrictions can be obtained by calling the Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737.
The fire danger rating is currently high. High fire danger means that unattended fires are likely to rapidly spread.
Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information visit fire.airnow.gov.
