La Grande, OR – Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Northeast Oregon District will implement Regulated-Use Closure Monday, July 3rd, 2023 @ 12:01 a.m. Fire danger is increasing in northeast Oregon. The weather is changing to a typical summer pattern of warmer and drier conditions. This declaration is initiated to prevent or minimize human-caused wildfires and protect natural resources, public health and safety, and the rising fire danger and fuel conditions. The public is urged to use caution in dry, cured vegetation areas. Matt Howard, District Forester, states, “Normal summer weather is forecast for the foreseeable future.
It’s easy to be complacent at the beginning of summer, but fuel conditions and weather will change rapidly. We need everyone to use caution, check regulations before heading out, and please watch for fires while you are recreating.”
Effective at 12:01 a.m. July 03, 2023, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has added additional restrictions to the Public Use Restrictions for lands within the Northeast Oregon District. This declaration places fire prevention restrictions on landowners and the public. The Regulated Use Closure affects private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands in seven counties: Union, Baker, Wallowa, Umatilla, and small portions of Malheur, Grant, and Morrow Counties. This area encompasses approximately 2 million protected acres.
The Public Use Restrictions (Regulated Use Closure) include the following fire prevention measures:
Open fires, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires, and warming fires, are allowed with landowner permission during low and moderate fire danger. Campfires are only allowed in designated locations during high fire danger and prohibited entirely during extreme fire danger.
Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.
Propane fire pits are allowed if they are self-contained and 3 feet away from any flammable fuels with a maximum flame height of 2 feet.
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.
Non-industrial chainsaw use is allowed all day during low and moderate fire danger. Chainsaw use is prohibited between noon and 8:00 pm during high fire danger and prohibited entirely during extreme fire danger.
When allowed, the following firefighting equipment must be present with each operating saw: one shovel or other firefighting tool, and one 8 ounce or larger fire extinguisher or 1-gallon of water. In addition, a fire watch is required at least one hour following the end of chainsaw use.
Electric chainsaws are allowed all day.
The use of fireworks is prohibited during high and extreme fire danger.
Mowing of dried and cured grass with power driven equipment is allowed all day during low and moderate fire danger. Except for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops, this activity is prohibited between noon and 8:00 pm during high fire danger and prohibited entirely during extreme fire danger.
The use of electric string trimmers are allowed all day.
Cutting, grinding, and welding of metal is allowed all day during low and moderate fire danger. This activity is prohibited between noon and 8:00 pm during high fire danger and prohibited entirely during extreme fire danger. When allowed, cutting, grinding, and welding of metal must be conducted in a 10-foot area cleared of flammable vegetation. In addition, a shovel or other firefighting tool, minimum of 1-gallon of water, or 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher must be immediately available.
Any electric fence controller in use shall be: 1) Listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and 2) Operated in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Smoking is prohibited during high and extreme fire danger while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, or at a cleared area free of flammable vegetation.
Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required during high and extreme fire danger for any vehicle/UTV/ATV traveling on unimproved roadways, where flammable vegetation exists on roadway; shovel or other firefighting tool, minimum of 1-gallon of water, or 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.
Use of sky lanterns are prohibited throughout the year in Oregon.
Aside from these restrictions, the following is restricted or prohibited during fire season.
The use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition.
The use of tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base is prohibited.
A burn permit is required for all open debris burning and use of burn barrels during low and moderate fire danger. Contact your local ODF office.
All open debris burning, and use of burn barrels is prohibited during high and extreme fire danger.
These restrictions shall remain in effect until replaced, suspended, or terminated by additional proclamations.
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
Current fire restrictions for forestlands in Northeast Oregon can be found at https://www.bmidc.org. The Northeast Oregon Fire Prevention line is (541) 975-3027.
La Grande, OR- A drier than normal spring and with a warming trend in the forecast has prompted Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to begin fire season on private forest lands in northeast Oregon. Department of Forestry (ODF) is seeing fire danger increasing across the Northeast Oregon District.
FIRE SEASON will begin at 12:01 a.m., Thursday, June 22nd for forest and range lands protected by ODF Northeast Oregon District. “Early in the fire season, it’s easy to underestimate what level the fire danger really is. We really want to encourage folks to make sure they are getting out regularly and checking any place where slash or debris piles were burned late last winter and this spring. Those areas can hold heat for a long time and cause fires to rekindle months later.” Said Matt Howard, District Forester.
The fire season declaration places fire prevention restrictions on landowners and 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.
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.
Baker City Sub-Unit: (541) 523-5831
La Grande Unit: (541) 963-3168
Pendleton Unit: (541) 276-3491
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 and fully extinguished before being left.
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.
For information on restrictions across the Northeast Oregon District, dial: (541) 975-3027 or visit www.bmidc.org, for current information on fire restrictions.
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.
Fire season will begin in Clatsop County at 1 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry. Fire season is declared each year when conditions of fire hazard exist. This declaration affects all lands, both public and private, in Northwest Oregon. This is about 2-3 weeks ahead of when fire season typically begins in this area, but the warm and dry weather has resulted in increased fire danger.
Public Use Restriction levels move from low (green) to extreme (red). These are indicated on fire information boards at major roads entering forested areas. Restrictions are identical to last year. In low (green), campfires will be allowed at designated campsites and dispersed campsites. This recognizes that attended campfires adjacent to campsites have a low incident of spread. As conditions dry out, the move to moderate (blue) restricts campfires to designated campsites, and dispersed campfires will no longer be allowed.
In conjunction with the county fire chiefs, a county wide burn ban will be simultaneously in effect.
Open debris burning will not be allowed starting June 14. Burn barrels require a burning permit, which can be obtained through the Oregon Department of Forestry or a local fire department depending on the location of the residence. For rural residences using burn barrels: only metal barrels in good condition covered by heavy mesh screens with holes no larger than ¼ inch are acceptable. A charged water supply and hand tools are required to be on site.
Industrial Fire Precaution levels (IFPL) range from Level 1 to Level 4 with accompanying restrictions on operations to protect forest resources. Restrictions are identical to last year, with a 1 hour fire watch in Level I, a 2 hour fire watch in Level II, and a 2 hour fire watch in Level III. Level 4 is a shutdown, so no fire watch is required. IFPL Zones NW-1, NW-2 and NW-3 will be at a Level 1 on June 14th.
For up-to-date recorded information about fire season requirements, call 503-325-7215. To request a burning permit or obtain additional information, call 503-325-5451 during business hours.
Prineville, Ore. – Fire season on all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will begin June 9, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. Starting this Friday, the district’s fire danger level will be “Moderate”, and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be I (one) in MH-4 and MH-1 (Hood River and Wasco counties).
Earlier this year, fire managers were optimistic regarding this year’s fire season due to the higher-than-normal snowpack. However, due to the decline in spring rain, rise in temperatures, and windy conditions, the fine fuels in the district have begun to dry significantly.
So far this year, the district has experienced 22 fires, of which half were escaped debris burns. Debris burning is the number one cause of human-caused fires. As we move into fire season, debris burning will be prohibited. ODF recommends covering your pile until the rainy fall when it’s safer to burn.
With that in mind, the Central Oregon District will begin implementing restrictions based on fire danger level. Moderate fire danger level restricts the following activities:
No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
No fireworks on or within 1/8 of a mile of ODF-protected land.
Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.
No smoking while traveling through or working in any operation area.
In addition to the fire prevention requirements Under IFPL I (one), the following will go into effect:
A fire watch is required for a minimum of one hour during breaks and at the end of the operational period.
Additional fire restrictions or regulations may apply depending on the various fire risks throughout the fire season.
The Oregon Department of Forestry urges residents to not become complacent in wildfire prevention. The less human-caused fires we have, the less the district’s resources are strained. For tips on wildfire prevention, visit www.keeporegongreen.org
This Declaration Affects 1.8 Million Acres of Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District-Protected Lands
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (May 30, 2023) – Fire Season on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Southwest Oregon District begins Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. The fire danger level will be “Low” (green) and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be I (one). Lands affected by this declaration include 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties.
Consistent rain and snow allowed for a fairly fire-free spring in southern Oregon up until early May, when a rapid shift in weather patterns took place and temperatures rose from forties and mid-fifties to a range fluctuating between sixties and nineties. The hot weather in combination with windy conditions prompted the spread of numerous accidental human-caused fires. Thunderstorms later in the month also contributed to fire starts, resulting in 14 fires, three caused by lightning and 11 caused by humans.
Beginning Thursday, the burning of debris piles and the use of burn barrels for burning debris will no longer be allowed in Jackson and Josephine counties. Even with recent rains, landowners are encouraged to check their previously burned piles from this spring and confirm that they have been extinguished.
In low fire danger, the following activities are prohibited:
No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
No fireworks on or within 1/8 of a mile of ODF-protected land.
Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.
Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds, and on private land with the landowner’s permission. Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used in areas clear of vegetation at any time.
Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations.
Any electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services and be installed and used in compliance with the fence controller’s instructions for fire safe operation.
Under IFPL I (one) – fire season requirements are in effect. In addition to the following:
A Firewatch is required at this and all higher levels unless otherwise waived.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Season regulations, please call or visit the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest to you:
Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point – (541) 664-3328
Additional information about fire season is also available online on our website, www.swofire.com, our Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest and our Twitter account, @swofire.
Eugene, Ore.—After several lightning strikes last night, the Oregon Department of Forestry succeeded in stopping progression on a fire between Sharps Creek and Mosby due to a detection camera installed last fall. The camera was purchased through SB 762 funding. The early detection and fast response to this fire would not have been possible prior to SB 762’s investment in the Oregon Department of Forestry’s camera detection system.
The fire was detected via the camera around 5:30 p.m. Monday evening, after staff from the property left, at which point two engines responded alongside landowner resources. Firefighters had the fire under control by 8 p.m. The fire ended up being a half-acre in size, but if left undetected it could have been a much larger, more damaging, and expensive fire by morning.
“This fire was right on the edge of a unit and could have been significantly bigger had it not been detected until today.” Chris Cline, South Cascade District Forester, said. “I’m super happy for the quick and effective result and look forward to getting additional cameras on-line as soon as possible.”
Early detection investments through SB 762 included the expansion of ODF’s detection camera system. Over the last two years, the department has been strategically adding new cameras throughout the state to cover the most area per camera. Currently, ODF has 93 cameras at 68 sites across Oregon. Through SB 762’s expansion of early detection resources, the department can reduce resource loss and the overall cost of a fire.
These cameras can monitor hundreds, if not thousands, of acres of land. The software is designed to notify the operator when smoke is on the landscape, however, the operator can also spot the smoke before the system notifies them. Using an augmented mapping system, the approximate location of the potential fire is
sent to dispatchers, who then relay the information in real-time to the resources that are responding. This system allows for early detection and fast response to a fire and sets the department up for success in keeping wildfires under 10 acres. Suppressing wildfires at 10 acres or less dramatically reduces the cost and minimizes property loss.
With the continued high temperatures and dry conditions this week, ODF remains ready to respond to wildfires and wildfire prevention is key. Now is the time for Oregonians to actively practice wildfire prevention. This includes waiting to burn debris, recreating responsibly, and not parking over dried grass. For more information on wildfire prevention, visit keeporegongreen.org.
SALEM, Ore. – Today, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is deploying 22 firefighters to Alberta, Canada through the Northwest Compact to provide extra support in fighting their wildfires. The Northwest Compact is a mutual assistance agreement that allows five northwest states, including Oregon, and five NW Canadian provinces and territories to easily share resources with one another, creating a larger and more comprehensive fire management system.
Currently, Alberta is experiencing an influx of fire activity with over 100 active wildfires across the province. Of those, at least 14 are larger wildfires. The province has been experiencing an immense amount of lightning and high winds paired with dryer and warmer conditions as we transition into summer, and their resources are becoming more strained as the wildfires and evacuations continue.
The ODF team will be on a standard, two-week deployment in Alberta and will return with new knowledge on firefighting tactics, refined skills and stronger relationships with our partners up north.
“Fire is a family, no matter if it’s in the U.S. or Canada, and we’re here to help,” said Mike Shaw, ODF’s Fire Protection Division Chief. “But keep in mind that, before committing to any deployment, we make sure that our own fire management system is prepared and ready to respond to fires here in Oregon.”
In its 25th year, the Northwest Compact was created to facilitate assistance in wildland fire pre-suppression and suppression efforts between member agencies. Member agencies include Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana as well as the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
The relationships built through the Northwest Compact benefit Oregon equally when our fire season hits its peak and has for decades. For example:
Last year during the Double Creek Fire, four resources came to Oregon from British Columbia to help.
During the 2020 Labor Day wildfires, more than 7,500 personnel from multiple Canadian provinces and 39 states answered Oregon’s call.
In 2017, several Canadian firefighters assisted Oregon in preparing for the solar eclipse and responding to the Chetco Bar Fire.
“By creating a cache of reciprocal resources, both Oregon and Alberta can benefit from each other when fire seasons hit hard and resources become strained,” Blake Ellis, Fire Operations Manager for the Fire Protection Division, said.
SALEM, OR – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and other fire prevention experts urge the public to exercise caution when disposing of yard debris this spring. With fires already occurring in the state, particularly in the Southwest and Central Oregon District, Oregonians need to keep fire prevention at the top of their mind.
Now is a great time to trim trees and bushes, and tidy up plants around your home to create a “defensible space” around your property. Defensible space creates a buffer around your home that can help protect your home from catching fire and provides firefighters with a safe space to work from.
After your clean up, you will have a lot to dispose of. Debris burning is the leading human-related fire cause on ODF-protected lands, so as you begin this spring clean-up, the Oregon Department of Forestry and Keep Oregon Green urge you to put some extra thought into how you want to dispose of your yard debris.
Considering alternatives to burning like composting, chipping, or slowly disposing of it via your yard debris bin (if you have one) helps to prevent wildfire in your area. Check with your local disposal company for recycling options. By choosing an alternative disposal method, or burning under safe conditions outside of fire season, you can help significantly reduce the risk of a wildfire.
If you would still prefer to burn your yard debris, consider waiting until the rainy fall and winter seasons. Delaying your burn plans will give the debris more time to cure and avoid holdover fires when the weather gets hotter and drier over the next several weeks. You can cover part of the pile with plastic to preserve a dry area to start your fire.
If burning now is the only option to dispose of yard debris, fire prevention specialists ask people to follow safe burning practices. The following tips can help stop runaway burn piles:
Call before you burn – Burning regulations vary by location depending on the weather and fuel conditions. If you are planning to burn, check with your local ODF district, fire protective association, fire department, or air protection authority to learn about current burning restrictions or regulations, and if you need a permit.
Stay with the fire until it is out cold – NEVER leave your debris burn unattended. State laws requires monitoring of debris burn piles from start to finish until it is out cold. This law is intended to ensure sparks or embers that jump from the fire can be put out quickly.
Know the weather – Burn early in the day and never burn on dry or windy days, because fires can spread out of control more easily.
Clear a 10-foot fuel-free buffer around the pile – Make sure there are no tree branches or power lines above.
Keep burn piles small – Large burn piles can cast hot embers long distances. Keep piles small, maximum of four feet by four feet. Add debris to the pile in small amounts as the pile burns.
Always have water and fire tools nearby – When burning, have a charged water hose or a bucket of water, and shovel on hand to put out the fire. Drown the pile with water, stir the coals, and drown again, repeating until the fire is cold to the touch.
Go back and check burn piles. They can retain heat for several weeks and restart when the weather warms up and winds blow.
Never use gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids to start or speed up your fire.
Burn only yard debris – State laws prohibit burning materials or trash that create dense smoke or noxious odors.
Costs of runaway debris burns– State law requires the proper clearing, building, attending and extinguishing of open fires all year. If your debris burn spreads out of control, you may have to pay for suppression costs, as well as the damage to your neighbors’ properties, which can be extremely expensive.
More tips on wildfire prevention, including campfire safety, motorized equipment use, and fire-resistant landscaping can be found on the Keep Oregon Green website. Check the public use restrictions for Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands before you burn.
Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPA) are independent associations of landowners that provide their own local wildfire protection. The RFPA program has created an element of neighborly connection when it comes to wildfire protection and prevention. Being members of their communities themselves, RFPAs are integral in local planning and mitigation efforts, like executing prescribed burns and or helping to develop community wildfire protection plans (CWPP) in their areas.
Along with local efforts, the RFPA program is a part of Oregon’s complete and coordinated response to wildfire. For example, in June 2022, three RFPAs (Burnt River, Lookout- Glasgow, and Vale RFPA) responded to the the Willow Creek Fire in Vale, Oregon, which burned 42,000 acres. In partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, the RFPAs were able to assist in the fast containment of the fire.
Since the first RFPA was formed in 1964, the program continues to grow to better protect rural Oregon. From 2022 and so far into 2023, the rangeland program has added four new RFPAs. Collectively, 28 RFPAs across Oregon protect over 17.7 million acres.
“RFPAs currently consist of 1200 volunteers that are actively seeking opportunities to protect their communities, sage grouse habitat and safeguard livestock forage crucial to the local economy.” Marvin Vetter, Rangeland Coordinator, said.
Members are provided basic and advanced training annually so that they may correctly and safely protect Oregon’s landscape. Partnering with ODF staff are instructors from State and Federal agencies. The support shown by partnering agencies has been critical in developing supportive relationships with landowners and RFPAs, having a profound effect on interoperability on fire scenes. The Oregon Department of Forestry also supports the associations through administrative guidance, fire suppression training, and facilitating access to federal grants and surplus firefighting equipment.
These associations remain a critical piece in keeping Oregon’s communities safe from wildfire.
Salem, OR – After much consideration, Oregon’s State Forester has decided to not renew the Department of Forestry’s firefighting insurance policy with Lloyd’s of London for the 2023-2024 policy year. This policy was first obtained prior to the 1973 fire season to try to mitigate the impacts of wildfire suppression costs for Oregonians. However, over the past decade, longer, more complex, and costlier fire seasons have led to higher premiums and deductibles that lowered the intended mitigating effects of the policy.
The decision to not renew the policy has no impact on ODF’s fire season readiness or firefighting capacity.
“Oregonians can rest assured that dissolving this policy does not mean a lack of protection on the lands we’re responsible for,” State Forester Cal Mukumoto said. “ODF stands ready, as we do heading into every fire season, to strategically use all resources at our disposal to protect Oregonians and their natural resources.”
Mukumoto’s decision comes on the heels of a special meeting of the Emergency Fire Cost Committee (EFCC) on April 3, during which the final terms of the policy were presented. Under state law, the EFCC is charged with overseeing the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund (OFLPF), which is privately funded by landowner assessments and a portion of harvest tax revenues. The fund is used to offset fire cost impacts to the state’s General Fund.
The OFLPF is intended to equalize emergency fire suppression costs across the various ODF protection districts when firefighting needs exceed a district’s budgetary capacity. The OFPLF is designed to operate as an insurance policy whereby all districts contribute into the fund so that money will be available to any individual district when needed. The OFLPF and the General Fund each pay for half of the department’s firefighting costs, up to $20 million. After that, the General Fund covers costs up to the Lloyd’s of London policy’s deductible. Certain suppression costs, primarily those paid for or reimbursed by the federal government, would not count toward the deductible.
In addition to overseeing the OFLPF, the EFCC consults with the State Forester regarding renewal of the insurance policy. For 2023-2024, the deductible was raised to over $78.5 million, which is 57% higher than in 2021-2022 policy. Oregon’s historic net fire seasons costs, even after factoring in inflation, would not meet this threshold, making it highly unlikely that this additional financial coverage would be needed in any given fire season. The premium was quoted at $4.1 million—nearly equal to both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 policies—for $25 million in coverage, which has not changed since the 2004-2005 policy.
After the special meeting, the EFCC, which contributes up to 50% of the policy premium, recommended that the State Forester not renew the policy. After reviewing the recommendation, along with other supporting documents, Mukumoto agreed with the EFCC’s recommendation and chose to not renew the policy. One of the reasons cited by the EFCC for their recommendation was the decreasing balance of the OFLPF and the desire to preserve those funds for suppression costs and strategic investments rather than paying toward a policy that may not be the best fit for Oregon any longer.
“In many parts of the state, forest landowners large and small are already struggling under significant financial burdens to maintain healthy, sustainable working forestlands,” Brennan Garrelts, Chair of the EFCC, said. “In recognition of that, and the reality that ODF and the committee lack sufficient tools to influence funding and policy decisions, the committee must make prudent decisions where they can ensure solvency of Oregon’s primary firefighting fund.”
Salem, Ore. – Ten project proposals in Oregon, including one by the Oregon Department of Forestry, have been selected to be funded by the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG). The proposals focus on assisting communities in developing Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP), and funds immediate actions to reduce wildfire risk for communities that already have an active CWPP, key roadmaps for addressing wildfire risks locally.
Funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CWDG program helps communities, tribes, non-profit organizations, state forestry agencies and Alaska Native corporations plan for and mitigate wildfire risks as the nation faces an ongoing wildfire crisis. Scoring priority was given to project proposals that are in an area identified as having a high or very-high wildfire hazard potential, benefit a low-income community or are located in a community impacted by a severe disaster within the previous 10 years that increased wildfire risk.
Of those that applied, the states with the largest dollar amount for their communities were Oregon, California and Washington.
Examples of proposals that have been selected for funding include:
Oregon Department of Forestry, John Day; Grant County Defensible Space
$681,041 to focus on 300 acres of fuels reduction treatments for Grant County landowners in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), installation of Firewise Communities, and outreach and education in the high-risk communities of John Day, Mt. Vernon, Prairie City, Dayville, Granite, Monument, Canyon City, Long Creek and Seneca.
Klamath Watershed Partnership, Chiloquin Wildfire Risk Reduction and Education
$616,404 to implement 165 acres of defensible space treatments over five years; to develop and implement a “Brush Dump” program; to design, purchase, and deploy a multi-use wildfire education trailer for community education and outreach events, and a mobile information distribution point during a wildfire as needed; and to build capacity and sustainability within Chiloquin Fire and Rescue through development of a part-time Mitigation Specialist position to coordinate the activities of this project and to plan future projects.
Douglas Electric Cooperative Fuels Treatments, Vegetation Management, and Other Mitigation
$9,151,505 to reduce fuel buildup in high-risk wildfire areas, enhance the utility right-of-way’s ability to function as fire breaks, increase forest health, and minimize the probability that Douglas Electric’s transmission and distribution system may be the origin or contributing source for the ignition of a fire. Funding from this program will enable DEC to reduce its vegetation management program to a 3-to-4-year cycle while addressing hazard trees (snags and cycle busters) not in the traditional utility space.
ODF has partnered with other organizations around the state whose applications have been selected for funding and will provide support for their proposals through various avenues.
The 2023 application period for additional grant awards is planned to open spring of 2023. Revised guidance for 2023 will be posted when received from the USDA Forest Service. The 2022 eligibility flowchart and 2022 CWDG Program fact sheet remain helpful tools to plan for the upcoming 2023 application process.
Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Partenavia P-68 Observer has had many uses in the last 40 years, but its most recent function is as the platform for the department’s nighttime wildfire detection work. Using night vision and an FLIR camera system that is paired with an augmented reality mapping system, this multi-mission aircraft (MMA) allows for quick detection and response to dozens of wildfires every year.
During fire season, the Partenavia flies at night looking for signs of wildfires started by lightning. What makes this system unique and successful is the marrying of several technologies that couldn’t do the job on their own. ODF uses night-vision goggles (NVGs) and infrared sensors to initially spot suspected new fires. Then a laser pointer that is only visible in the NVGs, is used to communicate the exact position of the possible new fire to the observer/camera operator. Finally, the observer uses the infrared sensors and the high-power zoom to confirm whether it is actually a new fire and not another light source. Using any of these tools alone would be only fractionally as effective and take up more valuable time.
“As far as I’m aware, we’re one of the first states combining night vision and infrared into our aircraft to detect fires early,” Cole Lindsay, aviation coordinator for ODF’s Northwest Oregon Area, which protects approximately 3.5 million acres of forestland in northwestern Oregon from wildfire. “Using these tools together allows us to fly at night after a thunderstorm, find small fires in remote areas, and then send detailed information to our dispatch center so that they can send out the appropriate resources to extinguish the fire.”
Once the point is determined to be a new fire it get documented and reported. The observer views the location in a map screen and the augmented reality system (ARS), which overlays all known information like roads, streams and names, onto the video screen as if they were on the ground. The still images and videos on these two screens give a sense of where the fire is and what it is doing. Going a step further, attributes of the fire are drawn and labeled on the video screen, and ARS turns those into data points and polygons.
During the summer months, the aircraft is centrally based in Redmond, Oregon to allow access to the entire state. Using the MMA catch fires early is just one of the ways that ODF works to prevent larger wildfires.
In the 2022 fire season, the MMA detected 69 fires, 60of which were detected during extreme fire danger. The early detection of these fires helped to prevent the majority of them from growing into larger fires. Out of the 69 total detections, none of the fires on ODF-protected lands grew larger than 10 acres. Over the span of the season, ODF pilots and operators banked approximately 92 hours in the sky in search of new fire starts, the most in one night being 21 detections.
The MMA is also used as ‘eyes in the sky’ for incidents. The MMA provides a valuable aerial perspective and facilitates the gathering information including the fire perimeter, possible helispots, and the attributes and behavior of the fire that can be loaded into a map for the ground crews to use. The information gathered is provided to the ground as a complete package that allows ground forces to view, strategize, and attack the fire with more situational awareness than they would have otherwise. In the 2022 season, the Partenavia executed four of these mapping missions.
“We’re very proud of our achievements using the Partenavia,” said Neal Laugle, ODF Aviation Unit manager. “However, with the high demand for the resource, it’s difficult to meet the needs of the entire state with just one aircraft, which leaves our team having to prioritize certain areas over others during times of extreme fire danger in the state.”
Though the aircraft and program received investments in the 2021 Oregon Legislative Session, there is still plenty of room to grow.
“A wish list item for our program would be another multi-mission aircraft to better support the entire state, and to create a backup for the agency since the Partenavia is 40 years old. The aircraft is not getting any younger, and with that age comes more maintenance,” said Laugle.
Heppner, Ore. – The Blake Ranch community has become the first Firewise USA community in Morrow County. The Oregon Department of Forestry, along with other federal, state, local and community partners, helped Blake Ranch become recognized as a Firewise USA community starting January 19.
“Congratulations to Blake Ranch residents for setting the stage for other Firewise communities to grow within Morrow County,” said Brandon Ferguson, Forest Resource Manager with ODF’s John Day Unit.
Prior to the applying to be a Firewise USA community, Blake Ranch residents were beginning to see the changes in wildfire behavior in their area. Their remote location—16 miles southwest of Heppner—is prone to lightning-started wildfires, makes it difficult to get firefighting resources to the scene quickly. This, along with the dangers posed by continuous buildup of fuels and forest health concerns, began the conversation among neighbors.
Several residents attended ODF and local fire department classes to become more educated on wildfire resiliency and be able to help inform fellow residents. In December 2022, after a lot of work between community and interagency partners, Blake Ranch applied to become a Firewise USA community.
“Firewise USA is a community-led effort that requires resident buy in to be successful. Cooperation between the community and their interagency partners is integral to making their hometown safer against wildfire,” said ODF Forest Officer Stacy Lauritsen, who helped Blake Ranch through the process to become a Firewise community. “Hopefully, Blake Ranch inspires other communities in Morrow County to look into the Firewise USA program for themselves.”
Currently, one other community in Morrow County is working toward Firewise recognition.
The Firewise USA program is headed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors get organized, find direction, and take action to protect their homes and community from ignition risk and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level.
Oregon Department of Forestry staff had the opportunity to take part in teaching the Complex Incident Management Course (CIMC) in San Diego last month, and provided experienced incident management team members the training they needed to take on top leadership roles on their team. ODF prides itself on sharing more than a century of wildland firefighting expertise with tomorrow’s incident management leaders.
The CIMC is required for firefighters looking to take on roles like Incident Commander, Section Chief, Safety Officer, and other vital leadership positions. The course puts trainees through days-long simulations of Type 1 incidents to get a sense of all the factors at play during a complex incident, preparing them for real-world scenarios they are likely to face.
“For CIMC to be successful, it takes a village. We are fortunate to have a robust cadre (group of teachers) representing quite a few states across the U.S.,” said Kristin Dodd, ODF Unit Forester and member of the CIMC cadre since 2018.
With the support of the National Association of State Foresters, the course has been in place since 2000, with constant updates to maintain relevancy and active coordination with federal partners, who have a similar course that they put on (S-520). The variety of experience and diverse backgrounds in the cadre, who have responded collectively to not only wildfires but other all-hazard events like hurricane relief out of state, allows students to learn from a team with expansive incident management knowledge.
Dodd compared the responsibility of teaching upcoming IMT leaders to coaching, which means accurately accessing the student’s abilities and preparedness to make decisions that can have major ramifications.
“A coach’s responsibility is to provide a great amount of support, assistance, course correction and sometimes participate in difficult conversations regarding the student’s readiness, experience and capabilities to perform at this high level.” Dodd said. “Not all students who attend pass the class. But it is my job as a coach to guide them and to make the final assessment.”
The CIMC and the cadre teaching it are incredibly important to the future of incident and succession management across the country, and ODF is happy to share its expertise.
“It’s our responsibility to share the firefighting knowledge that we’ve accumulated as an agency, and through our own careers, to ensure the future of wildland firefighting across Oregon and the United States.” said Ron Graham, Deputy Chief of Operations for the Protection Division at ODF.
SALEM, OR – The Oregon Department of Forestry and other fire prevention experts urge the public to exercise caution when disposing of yard debris this fall.
With the end of fire season, many Oregonians have debris piles ready to be disposed of that cured over the summer. Preferable options for removal, aside from burning, include composting or recycling. Check with your local disposal company for recycling options.
If burning now is the only option to dispose of yard debris, fire prevention specialists ask people to follow safe burning practices. The following tips can help stop run-away burn piles:
Call before you burn – Burning regulations vary by location depending on the weather and fuel conditions. If you are planning to burn, check with your local Oregon Department of Forestry district, fire protective association, fire department, or air protection authority to learn about current burning restrictions or regulations, and if you need a permit.
Know the weather – Burn early in the day and never burn on dry or windy days, because fires can spread out of control more easily.
Clear a 10-foot fuel-free buffer around the pile – Scrape a ten-foot trail down to mineral soil around the perimeter of the pile to keep the fire contained in one place. Make sure there are no tree branches or power lines above
Keep burn piles small – Large burn piles can cast hot embers long distances. Keep piles small, maximum of four feet by four feet. Add debris to the pile in small amounts as the pile burns.
Always have water and fire tools nearby – When burning, have a charged water hose, and shovel on hand to put out the fire. Keep the area around the pile damp during the burning process. When finished, drown the pile with water, stir the coals, and drown again, repeating until the fire is out cold.
Stay with the fire until it is out cold – State laws requires monitoring of debris burn piles from start to finish until it is out cold. This law is intended to ensure sparks or embers that jump from the fire can be put out quickly.
Recheck burn piles. They can retain heat for several weeks and restart when the weather warms up and winds blow.
Never use gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids to start or speed up your fire.
Burn only yard debris – State laws prohibit burning materials or trash that create dense smoke or noxious odors.
Costs of run-away debris burns– State law requires the proper clearing, building, attending and extinguishing of open fires all year. If your debris burn spreads out of control, you may have to pay for suppression costs, as well as the damage to your neighbors’ properties. This can be extremely expensive.
More tips on wildfire prevention, including campfire safety, motorized equipment use, and fire-resistant landscaping can be found on the Keep Oregon Green website. Find public use restrictions for Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands before your burn.
SALEM, Ore. – With widespread rain and cooler temperatures across the state, all Oregon Department of Forestry districts will be out of fire season as of October 29, ending the 2022 fire season.
The start and end of fire season are set by each fire protection district based on the conditions in their area. The arrival of steady, soaking rain coupled with cooler temperatures and shorter day lengths usually triggers the closure of fire season. The end of fire season removes restrictions on ODF-protected lands intended to prevent wildfire, such as on backyard debris burning and use of certain equipment. Many structural fire departments in Oregon, however, still require a permit for debris burning, so check with your local fire department before starting a burn.
Year to date, there have been 844 fires on ODF-protected lands, which resulted in 34,105 acres burned and 96 percent of fires put out at 10 acres or less. The department deployed incident management teams (IMTs) to three fires this year: the Rum Creek fire in Southwest Oregon District, the Van Meter fire in Klamath-Lake District, and the Nakia Creek Fire in Washington. Statewide to date, regardless of jurisdiction, there have been 1,975 fires that have burned 436,772 acres.
“We were fortunate this year to have adequate resources to respond to fires in our jurisdiction while also being able to send resources to our partner agencies to help in their firefighting efforts,” said ODF Fire Protection Division Deputy Chief Ron Graham. “We share in the success of the 2022 fire season with Oregon’s complete and coordinated fire protection system, including forest and range landowners, local fire districts, tribes, contractors, federal, state and county partners.”
The successes of the 2022 fire season are in part due to the early detection systems that the department has in place and from Oregonians’ continued commitment to wildfire prevention. The department saw a significant decrease in human-caused fires this year with 1,918 acres burned on ODF-protected lands, compared to the 10-year average of 68,479 acres burned from human-caused fires.
The Oregon Department of Forestry uses several early detection methods within the districts. The two main methods are the camera detection system and the multi-mission aircraft (MMA). With 219 lightning-caused fires this year, the department used its camera detection system and multi-mission aircraft to quickly spot and dispatch crews to new fires.
The MMA has state-of-the-art thermal cameras that overlay that information through an augmented-reality mapping system. The system shows where the fire is burning, what kind of terrain it is in, and other tidbits that are helpful in sizing up an incident. The power of augmented reality is that it accurately places man-made locations, (like roads, fire lines, structure locations, streams, lightning strike locations, etc.) to create a kind of “super-view” that contains all the information and gives a realistic picture of what is happening on the fire. Dispatch centers can use that detailed information to quickly send the best resources to attack the particular fire. In its third season this year, the MMA detected 56 fires after large lightning storms in remote areas. Additionally, the MMA did four mapping missions on existing fires to support ground crew operations.
The ODF camera detection system uses 86 cameras that are strategically placed across 64 sites in ODF districts and cover thousands of forested acres. Successes from the system show in places like the Southwest Oregon district where, this year, staff initially detected 57 fires out of 250. This means that they detected the fire via the camera before it was reported through outlets like 911 calls.
As Oregon transitions out of fire season, ODF districts across the state are shifting their attention to wildfire prevention efforts. Clearing vegetation, creating defensible space around homes, and safely burning debris piles are just a few ways ODF is working with local landowners, members of the public and fellow fire response agencies to mitigate wildfire risk.
“With the beginning of cool, rainy fall weather, it is important to note conditions can change quickly,” Graham said. “Human-caused fire starts tend to increase in number around this time. People are anxious to burn backyard debris piles and can get complacent with fire safety. We are grateful for the help of every Oregonian working together to prevent wildfires year-round.”
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. – After a long, dry, and un-seasonably warm season, the 2022 fire season on the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District is officially ending on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. The ending of the 2022 season eliminates all public regulated use restrictions and industrial fire precaution level requirements. This announcement affects 1.8 million acres across Jackson and Josephine counties. This fire season on the Southwest Oregon District spanned 147 days.
“We’ve seen longer seasons that have hung on into late October and November before, but it’s been unseasonably dry this month,” said Tyler McCarty, Southwest Oregon District Forester. “Southern Oregon is very fire prone, but the heightened risk has passed at this point with the amount rain we’ve received this week.”
Between the start of the fire season on June 1 to October 25, there have been 240 fires across the district for a little over 21,703 acres burned. Lightning proved to be the main catalyst for fire starts in the season, causing 72 fires across Jackson and Josephine counties, including the Westside Complex in Jackson County and the Lightning Gulch complex in Josephine County. These complexes were made up of more than 50 fire starts caused by lightning strikes, spawning the Rum Creek and Hog Creek Fires near Merlin. The Rum Creek Fire would become the season’s largest fire, burning a total of 21,347 acres, destroying two homes, six structures, and taking the life of contract firefighter Logan Taylor.
“Logan paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect southern Oregon, and we’re so humbled and appreciative of how the community joined us in honoring him and his service,” McCarty said. “We’ve been fortunate on the Southwest Oregon District to not lose many firefighters, and Logan’s passing has touched everyone in our firefighting community. Our thoughts and prayers are still with his family and friends every day.”
The Rum Creek Fire was ignited by lightning on August 17 and was operationally taken over by Northwest Incident Management Team 13 on August 21. Near the end of August, gusting winds pushed the fire from under 1,000 acres to more than 8,400, and ODF Incident Management Team 1 and an Oregon State Fire Marshal IMT were ordered to work in unified command with Northwest IMT 13. All of Galice was evacuated, as well as surrounding rural residences, and portions of the Rogue River and recreational areas were closed as firefighters worked to create a containment line around the fire. On September 6, Northern Rockies Team 6 replaced Northwest IMT 13. By September 16, all evacuations had been lifted by the
Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management. All teams demobilized by late September when the fire was declared 90% contained on Sept. 23.
The largest fires of the season on the district are listed below:
Fire Name
Acres
Cause
Rum Creek Fire
21,347
Lightning
Ladybug Fire
78
Lightning
Keeler Fire
73
Lightning
Cheney Creek Fire
30
Lightning
Tallowbox Fire
26
Lightning
Hog Creek Fire
26
Lightning
Anderson Butte Fire
25
Human-caused
Wards Creek Fire
16
Lightning
Despite challenges from dry fuels, hot temperatures, and windy conditions throughout the season, ODF firefighters kept 96.6% of fires at 10 acres or less within Jackson and Josephine counties, just shy of ODF’s protection goal of 98%.
The termination of fire season removes fire prevention regulations on equipment use and the use of fire for debris burning. This applies to the public and industrial operations on forestlands; however, industrial slash burning is still prohibited. Many structural fire agencies require permits for residential debris burning, please check with your local fire department to obtain any necessary permits before burning and ensure it’s a burn day designated by the county you reside:
Jackson County Burn Line: (541) 776-7007
Josephine County Burn Line: (541) 476-9663
Even though the fire season is officially over, please continue to practice fire prevention when burning debris by ensuring a burn pile is never left un-attended and using caution when using machinery that could cause a spark. Please be aware that fires can still spread in fall and winter conditions. This region is extremely prone to wildfire, and for that reason, fire knows no season.
Fire prevention tips and information from the ODF Southwest Oregon District is available online at our Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest and our website, www.swofire.com.
PRINEVILLE, Ore. — Fire Season for lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will terminate at 12:00 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24, 2022. This includes lands protected under the John Day Unit, including the Fossil Sub-Unit; the Prineville Unit, including the Sisters Sub-Unit; and The Dalles Unit. Recent rain, combined with cooler fall weather has improved fuel conditions and moderated fire behavior. Changing fall conditions such as dry periods and variable winds can still create circumstances where fire danger is increased, and the public is reminded to use caution in activities such as debris burning and mowing of dried grass. Burning of slash piles or other debris from forest operations or fuels treatment projects will not be permitted until additional precipitation is received. All slash burning from forest operations requires a permit from your local ODF office.
Burning yard debris and the use of burn barrels may be allowed in some areas, however these fires should be kept small, and any surrounding fuel should be cleared away to reduce potential spread. A fire tool, such as a shovel, and water or a fire extinguisher should be available to help control the fire if needed. Fires should not be left unattended, should be DEAD OUT! and cool to the touch when you leave. Check with your local fire district or ODF office for burning regulations in your area, to see if debris burning is allowed or not, including restrictions on campfires and recreational fires. Failure to follow burn permit instructions or burning on days when burning is not allowed may result in a citation or liability for fire suppression work.
John Day Unit (Fossil Sub-Unit)—Burning yard debris and burn barrels is allowed. No permit is required from ODF, check with your local fire department to determine if they require a permit.
Prineville Unit (Sisters Sub-Unit)—A burn permit from ODF or your local fire department is required for burning yard debris or using a burn barrel.
The Dalles Unit—A burn permit from ODF or your local fire department is required for burning yard debris or using a burn barrel.
When burning it is important to monitor the weather and be prepared for shifting and erratic winds which may spread fire outside the burn area. Wildfires cause damage to Oregon’s natural resources, including affecting water, soil and air quality, and local communities.
Fire Season in the Central Oregon District began June 27th this year, lasting 120 days. Of the 83 fires reported so far this year, 38 fires were caused by lightning, burning 118 acres and 45 were related to human actions, burning 57 acres. The largest fire in the district was the 278-acre Fly Creek Fire near Lake Billy Chinook which burned 105 acres of ODF protection land. 97% of the fires burning on ODF protection were held at less than 10 acres this fire season.
For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
LA GRANDE, Ore. – As of 12:01 a.m., Oct. 25, 2022, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will terminate fire season for forestlands protected by the Northeast Oregon District. This includes over 2 million acres of private, state, county, municipal and tribal lands protected by ODF. The Northeast Oregon District includes lands in the following counties: Union, Baker, Umatilla, Wallowa, and small portions of Grant, Morrow, and Malheur counties.
The end of fire season means landowners protected by ODF can burn residential yard debris and burn barrels without a permit. This does not relieve landowners or forest operators of lawful responsibilities concerning the safe burning of debris or slash piles.
Landowners need to make sure they have their smoke management notifications filed and follow all forecasts for burning. Check with your local ODF office before lighting fires.
Specific Smoke Management/Burning Advisory Information:
If you are under the protection of a rural or city fire department, please be sure to follow their burning restrictions. Additionally, burning within the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) requires a permit from CTUIR. You must follow all requirements as outlined in the permit. Burn permits for burn barrels or small amounts of yard debris are not required on lands protected only by ODF Northeast Oregon District.
Burning slash from forestry and logging activities requires a Notification of Operation/PDM from ODF. In addition to this permit, landowners are required to obtain a smoke management permit from their local ODF office. Before burning in northeast Oregon, it is also required to obtain the smoke management weather forecast. For smoke management forecasts please call: 541-963-404 or visit the following website: http://www.odf.state.or.us/DIVISIONS/protection/fire_protection/Daily/neo.htm
The Northeast Oregon District of the Oregon Department of Forestry would like to thank all our landowners, forest operators, the public, and interagency partners for their efforts in fire prevention, detection, and suppression activities this season.
For further information, call your local ODF office:
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, call the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center at (541)963-7171, or dial 9-1-1.
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. – Recent fall-like weather and widespread rain has made it possible to ease off on some public fire prevention regulations on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District. Effective Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022 at 12:01 a.m., the public fire danger level will decrease to “low” (green) on ODF-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will remain at I (one).
In low fire danger, fire prevention regulations which will remain in effect, include:
No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
No fireworks on or within 1/8 of a mile of forestlands.
Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.
Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations.
Any electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, and be installed and used in compliance with the fence controller’s instructions for fire safe operation.
The industrial fire precaution level (IFPL) will remain at I (one). Under IFPL I (one) – fire season requirements are in effect. In addition to the following:
A Firewatch is required at this and all higher levels unless otherwise waived.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Season regulations, please call or visit the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest to you:
Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point – (541) 664-3328
