In Darlene 3’s wake, campfires banned on BLM lands in the La Pine area to curb danger of human-caused wildfires

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — "To enhance public safety and reduce the risk of wildfires," the Bureau of Land Management said Tuesday it's prohibiting campfires on BLM-administered lands in the La Pine area from May 1 to October 31.

"This decision is part of an effort to reduce human-caused wildfires that have threatened lives, property, and essential utility infrastructure that have increased over the past several seasons," the agency said.

The restrictions are new this year, as a result of several human-caused fires that originated from escaped campfires, BLM Prineville District Public Affairs Specialist Suzannah Burke told KTVZ News.

During recent years, the BLM said, the La Pine area has experienced devastating fires, including one that damaged restoration efforts from a previous wildfire.

"Escaped campfires are a significant contributor to these wildfires," the BLM said.

The human-caused Darlene 3 Fire broke out last June 25 just east of La Pine and burned over 3,000 acres, threatening the community for a time. The BLM said decades of extensive fuel treatments in the area helped firefighters keep it from reaching town.

This summer, the BLM said, campfires, charcoal fires and any type of open flame will be prohibited on BLM lands in the La Pine area.

Properly commercially manufactured portable propane campfires, metal camp stoves used for cooking, and shielded lanterns fueled by bottled propane or liquid fuel are the only exceptions. All cooking stoves, portable propane campfires, or lanterns must meet UL/CSA safety standards.

These restrictions will apply to BLM-administered lands within the following boundaries: South Century Drive on the north, the Fremont-Winema National Forest boundary on the south, and the Deschutes National Forest on the east and west.

“Public use restrictions are one tool that we use to address repeated human-caused wildfires, particularly when we can identify one specific cause, like escaped campfires,” said Lisa Clark, Deschutes Field Manager.

The BLM urged all visitors to respect these restrictions to help protect the natural landscape and ensure the safety of everyone who enjoys the beauty of the La Pine area.

For further information, please contact the BLM Central Oregon Field Office or visit the BLM website at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.