Fire danger takes no holiday: Labor Day weekend warmup prompts reminder of fire restrictions on C.O. public lands

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — As the Labor Day holiday weekend approaches amid a late-summer warmup, Central Oregon fire officials reminded the public Wednesday that wildfire danger is still high and Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions remain in effect across public lands in the region.

Here's Central Oregon Fire Management Service's full announcement:

Despite recent cooler temperatures and scattered precipitation across the region, vegetation remains dry and susceptible to ignition. Weather predictions are calling for a warming and drying trend, which means that fuels will continue to dry out, further increasing the likelihood of new ignitions.

Under Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions, open fires are prohibited, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires, on all Central Oregon public lands, including developed campgrounds and wilderness areas on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland, and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management.

Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, designated campground, or while stopped in an area with 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. 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 BLM river corridor restrictions which were implemented June 1. To learn more about these annual restrictions, visit: https://www.blm.gov/announcement/annual-campfire-restrictions-start-blm-rivers-central-oregon.

As we move into the holiday weekend, human-caused wildfire prevention is still a top priority. The public is reminded to take precautions such as checking trailer chains to make sure they are not dragging and to avoid parking on or driving over dry vegetation.

It’s been a very busy fire year in Oregon. Wildland firefighting resources, not only in Central Oregon, but throughout the nation, are stretched thin. Everyone needs to do their part to avoid additional human-caused wildfires. Remember, one less spark means one less fire that could put our wildland firefighters and communities at risk.

Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates and public use fire restrictions 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.