Extreme Fire Danger On ODF-Protected Lands

Very hot weather in southwestern Oregon makes it necessary to raise the fire danger level to Extreme (red) at 1:00 a.m. on Monday, July 27. This affects state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management lands that are in Jackson and Josephine counties and are protected by ODF’s Southwest Oregon District.

The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at level 2 (two).

Starting Monday, Mowing of dead or dry grass with power-driven equipment will not be allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Previously, mowing was allowed until 1:00 p.m. This restriction does not include the mowing of green lawns, or when equipment is used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.

Chain saws may not be used between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Prior to this fire danger level change, chain saw use was allowed until 1:00 p.m. Chain saw users must have an ax, a shovel and an 8-oz or larger fire extinguisher at the job site, and a fire watch is required for one hour after the saw is shut down.

The cutting, grinding or welding of metal will not be allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. These activities had also been allowed until 1:00 p.m. The work site must be cleared of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials, and a water supply is required at the job site.

Also, all open fires, including charcoal fires, will not be allowed in the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River between Grave Creek and Marial. Previously, charcoal fires were allowed. Starting Monday, only portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used on sand or gravel bars that lie between water and high water marks. These areas must be naturally free of vegetation.

For a complete list of fire restrictions, see www.swofire.oregon.gov.

ODF Medford Unit Firefighters On YouTube

Hey! ODF's Medford Unit firefighters are on YouTube! Get a front-seat view of riding to a fire in an ODF engine. See a retardant bomber in action on a wildland/urban interface fire. And much more.

County Fair Fire Prevention Booth Is A Cool Spot

The Oregon Department of Forestry, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management have a fire prevention display at the Jackson County Fair, which runs through Sunday. The outdoor display, in two open-air tents, is located beneath the trees in shady Chaisson Park between the Compton Arena and Isola Arena. It is close to the west entrance.

Smokey will be there Friday and Saturday mornings, and many Smokey Bear things – posters, pencils, puzzles and much more – are available for kids and the young at heart.

There is also other information available in the tents, such as maps to forest recreation areas, tips for protecting homes and forestlands against wildfire, and literature about the agencies’ land management missions and goals.

IFPL II Starts Today On Forestlands

Increased fire danger on forestlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District has made it necessary to increase the fire prevention measures on industrial operations, such as logging sites and other commercial operations. Industrial Fire Precaution Level II (two) takes today and prohibits the following activities:

• The use of fire in any form
• The use of power saws, except at loading sites, between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• The use of cable yarders between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• Blasting between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• Welding or cutting of metal between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Additionally, commercial operators on forestlands are required to have fire suppression equipment on site and provide watchman service.

These regulations affect all state, county, private and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties.