Beginning at 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, forest and range lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry – Northeast Oregon District went into fire season. This includes private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands in Union, Baker, Wallowa, and Umatilla counties along with small portions of Malheur, Morrow, and Grant counties.
“Good spring precipitation has created excellent conditions for grass and brush growth.” says Mark Jacques, La Grande Unit Forester for the Oregon Department of Forestry. “Although most fuels are still green at this point, as these fuels cure through the summer, the potential exists for hazardous burning conditions with extreme rates of spread.”
During fire season in northeast Oregon:
• Burning permits are required on all private-owned forest and range lands within the Northeast Forest Protection District for Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). Contact the local ODF office in La Grande, Baker City, Wallowa, or Pendleton to acquire a burning permit.
• Landowners who conducted burning of slash piles last fall and this past spring are encouraged to check these piles and ensure that they are completely out and all heat is gone. It is not uncommon for recently burned slash piles to have heat remaining in them for several months after the actual burning of the piles.
• Logging and other industrial operations must meet requirements for fire prevention, such as fire tools, water supply, and watchman service when those operations are occurring on private lands protected by ODF. Contact your local Stewardship Forester at ODF offices for more information.
• Campfires must be DEAD OUT! Recreationists are reminded that campfires need to be attended and fully extinguished before being left. Get permission from the landowner prior to starting a campfire.
Above average snowpack and below average temperatures has delayed implementation of fire season, however the extended forecast calls for warmer and drier conditions, dictating a need to enact fire prevention measures across the Northeast Oregon District.
For further information, contact the Oregon Department of Forestry at these local offices:
La Grande Unit (541) 963-3168
Baker City Sub-Unit (541) 523-5831
Wallowa Unit (541) 886-2881
Pendleton Unit (541) 276-3491
To report a fire, dial 9-1-1.
For information on the weekends call the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center in La Grande, (541) 963-7171
Christie Shaw
ODF Northeast Oregon District – Wallowa Unit