[Klamath Falls]—Fire officials in Klamath
and Lake Counties will officially declare fire season beginning Friday, June
3, 2016, at 12:01 a.m. on lands
protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Klamath-Lake District.
Areas protected by the Walker Range Forest Protective Association, northern
Klamath County, have been in a declared fire season since Wednesday, June 1,
2016 at 12:01 a.m. This affects all
private, county, state forestlands, and those Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
lands under contract and agreement west of the Gerber Reservoir area and HWY
97.
“Despite fairly cool and spring like
weather for a good portion of May, these current hot and dry conditions look to
continue thru the first weeks of June, so it’s time to prohibit all outdoor
burning and put normal industrial restrictions in place.” Stated Randall Baley,
Protection Unit Forester, Oregon Department of Forestry.
weather for a good portion of May, these current hot and dry conditions look to
continue thru the first weeks of June, so it’s time to prohibit all outdoor
burning and put normal industrial restrictions in place.” Stated Randall Baley,
Protection Unit Forester, Oregon Department of Forestry.
The “Fire Season in effect” declaration puts into place
regulations restricting debris burning and forest operations. Wildland and
structural fire protection agencies in Klamath County have agreed to prohibit
all outdoor debris burning as do the agencies in Lake County
unless a permit is first obtained. Forest operations that require a Permit to Operate Power Driven
Machinery now are required to have Fire tools, on-site water supply,
and watchman service on privately owned forest
land.
regulations restricting debris burning and forest operations. Wildland and
structural fire protection agencies in Klamath County have agreed to prohibit
all outdoor debris burning as do the agencies in Lake County
unless a permit is first obtained. Forest operations that require a Permit to Operate Power Driven
Machinery now are required to have Fire tools, on-site water supply,
and watchman service on privately owned forest
land.
In addition to the “Declaration of Fire
Season,” ODF and the Klamath Resource Area of the Bureau of Land Management
will be placing the Klamath River Canyon area from the Keno Dam to the
State Line in a “Regulated Closure.” The Closure stipulates the following:
Season,” ODF and the Klamath Resource Area of the Bureau of Land Management
will be placing the Klamath River Canyon area from the Keno Dam to the
State Line in a “Regulated Closure.” The Closure stipulates the following:
1) Possession
of the following fire-fighting equipment is required while traveling in the
forest, except on state and county roads: an ax, a shovel, and one gallon of
water or one 2-½ lb. or larger fire extinguisher.
of the following fire-fighting equipment is required while traveling in the
forest, except on state and county roads: an ax, a shovel, and one gallon of
water or one 2-½ lb. or larger fire extinguisher.
·
“Ax” means a wood cutting tool having a handle
of not less than 26 inches in length and a head weight of not less than 2
pounds.
“Ax” means a wood cutting tool having a handle
of not less than 26 inches in length and a head weight of not less than 2
pounds.
·
“Shovel,”
means a digging tool having a handle not less than 26 inches in length and a
blade of not less than 8 inches in width.
“Shovel,”
means a digging tool having a handle not less than 26 inches in length and a
blade of not less than 8 inches in width.
2) Smoking
in wildland areas is permitted only in enclosed vehicles on roads. Smoking is prohibited while working or
traveling in an industrial operation area.
in wildland areas is permitted only in enclosed vehicles on roads. Smoking is prohibited while working or
traveling in an industrial operation area.
3) Open
fires, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires,
are permitted only at posted and designated sites.
fires, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires,
are permitted only at posted and designated sites.
4) Non-Industrial
Chainsaw usage is prohibited between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Chainsaw usage is prohibited between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.
5) Fireworks
usage is prohibited within the Closure Area.
usage is prohibited within the Closure Area.
The Klamath River Canyon has been placed
under this Regulated Closure due to its lower elevation, drier fuels, and steep
terrain.
under this Regulated Closure due to its lower elevation, drier fuels, and steep
terrain.
The Lakeview Interagency Fire Center website: http://scofmp.org/lifc.shtml is available to assist in keeping people informed of current and
changing conditions for our area. Walker
Range Patrol Association can be contacted at 541-433-2451.
changing conditions for our area. Walker
Range Patrol Association can be contacted at 541-433-2451.
# # #