La Grande, OR – While some areas in northeast Oregon remain green, fire activity in the region has started to increase. As a result, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has declared the start of fire season for the Northeast Oregon District. “Continued dry conditions and increasing temperatures are expected in the coming weeks. These conditions, combined with rising fire danger, have led us to declare fire season,” said Justin Lauer, District Forester.
The fire season will officially begin at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, for the forests and rangelands protected by the ODF Northeast Oregon District. “With the forecasted weather conditions our fine fuels will continue to cure out making it more likely for fires to spread quickly. Declaring fire season allows us to help prevent human-caused fires, which can be a significant issue throughout the summer,” Lauer explained. The declaration of fire season places fire prevention restrictions on landowners and the public. Additionally, fire prevention regulations on industrial logging and forest management activities are put into place. Lands affected include private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands in Union, Baker, Wallowa, and Umatilla counties along with small portions of Malheur, Morrow, and Grant counties within the Northeast Oregon Forest Protection District. This area encompasses approximately 2 million acres of protected lands. ODF encourages landowners and the public to help prevent accidental ignitions by taking extra precautions while recreating or working, it can make a difference.
For information on restrictions across the Northeast Oregon District, dial: (541) 975-3027 or visit www.bmidc.org, for current information on fire restrictions.
During Fire Season:
· Debris burning is by permit only. To obtain a burn permit for a debris pile or burn barrel, please call your local ODF office.
o Baker City Sub-Unit: (541) 523-5831
o La Grande Unit: (541) 963-3168
o Pendleton Unit: (541) 276-3491
o Wallowa Unit: (541) 886-2881
· The use of exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base is prohibited.
· 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 lands protected by ODF. Contact your local Stewardship Forester at any NEO District office for more information.
· Campfires must be DEAD OUT! Recreationists are reminded that campfires need to be attended to and fully extinguished before being left.
o Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required; shovel or other firefighting tool, minimum of 1-gallon of water, or 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher and a fire watch at least one hour after extinguishing. Get permission from the landowner prior to starting a campfire.
· The use of Sky Lanterns is always illegal in Oregon.
To report a fire, dial 9-1-1.
Make sure you know the fire restrictions before you head out. Check with your local Forest Service office for fire regulations on National Forest land, or BLM office for lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Information on Public-Use Restrictions on the Oregon Department of Forestry, Umatilla National Forest and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest can be found at http://bmidc.org/index.shtml under Current Information: Fire Restrictions.