MEDFORD, Ore. — ODF’s Southwest Oregon District has raised the fire danger level from low to moderate. The change reflects hotter weather that has speeded up the drying of grass and other vegetation. As of June 20 the district has seen 44 fires, a third of all fires reported so far this year on ODF-protected lands. All but three of these fires were caused by humans.
Fire restriction are now in effect on the 1.8 million acres of public and private land protected by ODF in Jackson and Josephine counties. Restrictions in effect at all times include:
- No debris burning, including burn barrels and piles
- No open fires, including campfires except in designated campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are still allowed.
- No fireworks on forestland
- No use of exploding targets, tracer ammunition or bullets with pyrotechnic charges in their base
- No smoking in forestlands except in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, on boats on water, or in designated locations
- Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, are allowed only on improved roads free of flammable vegetation.
Restrictions in effect between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. include:
- No use of chainsaws. When they are allowed, have a shovel and fire extinguisher or a gallon of water on hand and keep a one-hour fire watch after use.
- No mowing of dead or dried grass with power-driven equipment (mowing of irrigated green grass is still allowed)
- Other restrictions are also in effect and can be viewed on the district’s website www.swofire.com
Fire danger in the Klamath-Lake District in eastern Oregon is also at moderate.
Check with your local ODF office for details about restrictions in your area or log onto ODF’s fire restrictions web page for more information.