Fireworks Banned on ODF-Protected Lands

Oregon Department of Forestry fire managers are reminding people not to use fireworks of any kind in wildland areas. For fire prevention and safety reasons, all types of fireworks are prohibited on state and private forestlands, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, state parks and in the cities of Ashland and Shady Cove.

Fires caused by fireworks on these lands may result in the user being cited and billed for the cost of the fire suppression.

Parents are also responsible for fires caused by their children. To better prepare oneself for a safe Fourth of July, here are some helpful tips:

• Only use fireworks outdoors.
• Be aware of city laws. If fireworks are illegal in your area, do not use them.
• Be prepared and always have water nearby in case of emergency.
• Only use fireworks as they were intended. Combining fireworks or changing their components may cause a safety threat.
• Never attempt to relight a “dud” firework. Instead, wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Be smart; make sure you are a safe distance away from the firework once it has been lit.
• Children under the age of 12 should be monitored closely, even while using sparklers.
• Lastly, after all the fireworks have been lit, wait 20 minutes and then soak all remains in a bucket of water before disposing.

The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District protects 1.8 million acres of forest and other wildlands in Jackson and Josephine Counties. The district declared fire season on July 1.

For more information about fire season regulations on ODF protected lands, see http://www.swofire.oregon.gov/.