All open fires banned on C.O. federal lands starting Monday amid long heat wave, extremely dry vegetation

(Update: Adding C.O. Fire Chiefs message)

'Stage 2' public use restrictions also ban most smoking, travel off developed roads, trails

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Due to continued hot weather and extremely dry vegetation, the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management will move into Stage 2 public use fire restrictions and Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) III next Monday, July 22.

Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Stage 2 public use fire restrictions prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires on all Central Oregon public lands, including developed campgrounds and Wilderness areas.

Additionally, under Stage 2 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). Generators are only allowed when fully contained in a truck or in an area cleared at least 10 feet in diameter of all flammable material.

Liquid and pressurized gas stoves, lanterns and fire pits with an on and off switch are allowed. 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.

Under IFPL III “Partial Shutdown” the following are prohibited except as indicated:

• Cable yarding – except gravity operated systems employing non-motorized carriages operating between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. when all blocks and moving lines are suspended 10 feet above the ground except the line between the carriage and the chokers.
• Power saws – except powers saws may be used at loading sites and on tractor/skidder operations between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time.

In addition, the following are permitted to operate between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time (no operation between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.):

• Tractor, skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder or shovel logging operations where tractors, skidders, or other equipment with a blade capable of constructing fireline are immediately available to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start
• Mechanized loading or hauling of any product or material for blasting
• Blasting
• Welding or cutting of metal
• Any other spark emitting operation not specifically mentioned

Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) 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.

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.

The fire danger rating is currently EXTREME. 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.

Information on current restrictions or the current Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) can be obtained by contacting your Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737.

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.

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Following message from the Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association:

In support of our Federal and State partners (U.S. Forest Service- Deschutes National Forest, Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District, and Oregon State Parks), the Central Oregon Fire Chiefs are encouraging residents in their jurisdictions to respect the burn ban (including recreational fires on their personal properties) to help prevent additional human-caused wildfires until further notice.

Additional wildfires caused through carelessness or negligence create unnecessary risk to our firefighters, the land, natural resources, our visitors, and our neighboring private lands.

Residents are strongly encouraged to review the following information and maps of regulated closures and public use restrictions currently in place in Central Oregon:

Oregon Department of Forestry: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx

USFS Deschutes National Forest: http://www.fs.usda.gov/centraloregon

Deschutes County: https://maps.deschutes.org/custom/basic/PublicUseRestrictions.html

Residents and visitors can contact their local fire protection agencies for additional burning information and regulations. The Central Oregon Fire Chief’s Association will continue to monitor weather and fuel moisture conditions in their district and may make modifications on a day-to-day basis.  Please call your local fire agency for more information.