As C.O. fire danger grows, Industrial Fire Precaution levels rise on Forest Service, BLM and ODF-protected lands

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Beginning Saturday at 12:01 a.m., all lands managed by the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests and the Prineville District of the Bureau of Land Management will move to Industrial Fire Precaution Level II, the agencies said Wednesday.

Here's the full announcement, as well as a similar announcement regarding Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands in the region:

This level restricts hours of operation for permitted commercial and industrial operations on public lands to between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. and is known as a “partial hoot owl.” The restrictions at this level apply to the use of power saws (except at commercial loading sites), cable yarding, blasting, welding, and cutting of metal.

Industrial Fire Precaution Levels are based on current and expected fire conditions. Fire precaution levels begin with Level I at the start of fire season and can increase to Level IV as the fire danger increases. It is the responsibility of the individual operating on public land to know the precaution level for the day and to take the correct fire precautions.

Find more information about the Industrial Fire Precaution Level system here. Information on the IFPL or current restrictions can be obtained by contacting the Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737.

Continued hot and dry conditions across Central Oregon also prompted the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville District BLM to increase the Fire Danger Rating level to EXTREME this past Monday.

The Fire Danger Rating System lets recreational users and visitors to public lands know to increase their level of caution while in the forests or rangelands. Under EXTREME conditions, fires of all types start quickly and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious and can spread very quickly with intense burning.

Stage 1 public use fire restrictions are currently in effect on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland and the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management.

These 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 designated, developed campgrounds.

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. The exception to this is BLM-designated campgrounds along portions of the Crooked, Deschutes, John Day, and White Rivers, as well as on BLM-administered lands along Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus.

These public use restrictions do not replace the annual river corridor restrictions which were implemented June 1. These restrictions prohibit campfires, charcoal fires, or any other type of open flame. This includes a ban on the use of 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. 

Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic devise 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.

For current wildfire information, the public can visit centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.

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Central Oregon District enters higher fire danger, issues restrictions to help prevent wildfires
Oregon Dept. of Forestry - 07/10/24 11:35 AM

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – All lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District are now in Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) 3 in MH-1 (portions of Hood River and Wasco counties).

With continued high temperatures, winds and drying fuels, the district is issuing public restrictions and regulated use closures in recognition of the increasing fire danger in order to reduce the risk of human-caused fires.

The Central Oregon District restricts the following activities:

• Use of fireworks and blasting is prohibited.
• No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
• Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except in designated areas. Propane fire pits and camp stoves are allowed but require one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2 ½ pound fire extinguisher on site.
• Chainsaw use and mowing of dried grass is prohibited, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. One hour fire watch required.
• No smoking while traveling through or working in any operation area.

 Restricted Shutdown: The following activities are not permitted at any time, except as noted: 

• Cable yarding systems, except that gravity operated logging systems using non-motorized carriages or approved motorized carriages may operate between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m., when all blocks and moving lines are suspended at least 10 feet above the ground (except the line between the carriage and the chokers). An approved motorized carriage is defined as a cable yarding system employing a motorized carriage with two fire extinguishers, each with at least a 2A:10 BC rating, mounted securely on opposite sides of the carriage, an emergency motor cutoff, and an approved exhaust system. 

In addition to the fire prevention requirements Under IFPL III (three), the following activities are not permitted between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., except as noted:

• Power saws may operate at loading sites;
• Feller-bunchers with rotary head saws;
• Cable yarding
• Blasting
• Welding, cutting, or grinding of metal

Additional fire restrictions or regulations may apply depending on the various fire risks. Check the full list of restrictions at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.

For more information on the Central Oregon District and fire season regulations, visit https://odfcentraloregon.com/.

The less human-caused fires we have, the less the district’s resources are strained. For tips on wildfire prevention, visit www.keeporegongreen.org.