Recent cooler, wetter weather brings reduction in C.O. fire danger levels, industrial restrictions on public lands

National preparedness level also reduced as conditions improve

 BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- With some cooler weather and various levels of precipitation across Central Oregon, the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests, Crooked River National Grassland and the Bureau of Land Management's Prineville District will reduce the Industrial Fire Precaution Level to Level III (Partial Shutdown) effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday.  

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 power 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

The IFPL are stages of restrictions that apply to permitted, commercial, and industrial operations on federal lands, including personal firewood cutting. These restrictions are put in place in order to reduce the risk of a wildfire igniting.

Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions remain in place. These restrictions prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires, on all Central Oregon public lands including developed campgrounds and Wilderness areas.

Last Saturday, August 17, the Central Oregon Fire Danger Rating was reduced from “Extreme” to “High.” Although the rating was reduced, a high fire danger rating means that wildfires are still likely to occur. Fires can still start easily from any ignition source, spread quickly, and become difficult to control.

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.

Meanwhile, the National Interagency Fire Center has dropped the nation's preparedness level from PL-5 to PL-4. "Although wildland fire activity continues across geographic areas, we have seen a notable decrease in initial attack & large fire growth in most areas over the last week," NIFC stated

Find more information about the Industrial Fire Precaution Level system here. 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.

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