Fire Prevention Measures Increase in Wild and Scenic Section of Rogue River

Starting tomorrow, Aug. 5, 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. 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.

This stretch of river is protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Grants Pass Unit. The fire danger level will be “extreme” (red) on state, private, county and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties starting at 1:00 a.m. Thursday.

In addition, the following fire prevention measures remain in effect in the ODF-protected portion of the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River:

• Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in boats on the water, and on sand or gravel bars that lie between water and high water marks that are free of vegetation.
• A shovel and a one-gallon or larger bucket are required of all travelers.
• Fireworks are prohibited

For further information about fire restrictions in all parts of the Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River, contact the Smullin Visitor Center located at the Rand National Historic Site at (541) 479-3735 or your local Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest office.

Information about fire season restrictions on ODF-protected lands is available online at www.swofire.oregon.gov, and at the ODF Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr.; (541) 474-3152.