July
31, 2015
Contacts:
Greg
Wagenblast, South Cascade District
Wagenblast, South Cascade District
541-726-3588,
greg.wagenblast@oregon.gov
greg.wagenblast@oregon.gov
Phil Hunter, Western Lane
District
District
High temperatures and low
humidity have set the stage for any new wildfires to burn hot and spread fast.
In response, the Oregon Dept. of Forestry’s South Cascade and Western Lane
districts today further tightened fire safety restrictions in the forest. The changes
include:
humidity have set the stage for any new wildfires to burn hot and spread fast.
In response, the Oregon Dept. of Forestry’s South Cascade and Western Lane
districts today further tightened fire safety restrictions in the forest. The changes
include:
§
Campfires are now banned completely in the two
districts. Previously they were allowed in designated campgrounds but no
longer. Campstove that use bottled fuels are allowed.
Campfires are now banned completely in the two
districts. Previously they were allowed in designated campgrounds but no
longer. Campstove that use bottled fuels are allowed.
§
Mowing of dry, cured grasses is prohibited at
any time.
Mowing of dry, cured grasses is prohibited at
any time.
§ Some
other fire safety rules already in place include: bans on smoking except in a closed
vehicle or building, grinding and welding of metal, driving/riding motorized
vehicles off of established roads.
other fire safety rules already in place include: bans on smoking except in a closed
vehicle or building, grinding and welding of metal, driving/riding motorized
vehicles off of established roads.
Firefighting personnel
and equipment have become scarce due to the Cable Crossing and Stouts fires in
Douglas County, and local fire managers are concerned that any new fires in
South Cascade or Western Lane would stretch resources thin.
and equipment have become scarce due to the Cable Crossing and Stouts fires in
Douglas County, and local fire managers are concerned that any new fires in
South Cascade or Western Lane would stretch resources thin.
“Given the rapid growth
of those fires south of us and the resulting drawdown of resources, we decided
to increase restrictions here,” said Phil Hunter, protection unit forester with
the Western Lane District.
of those fires south of us and the resulting drawdown of resources, we decided
to increase restrictions here,” said Phil Hunter, protection unit forester with
the Western Lane District.
South Cascade District
Forester Greg Wagenblast concurred, noting that all industrial activity in the
forest has been shut down due to the extreme fire danger.
Forester Greg Wagenblast concurred, noting that all industrial activity in the
forest has been shut down due to the extreme fire danger.
“These stepped-up rules
for recreational activity aim for the same result: Reduce the chance of human-caused
fire starts,” he said.
for recreational activity aim for the same result: Reduce the chance of human-caused
fire starts,” he said.
###