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.

Fire Prevention Restrictions Tighten on Thursday

The fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry rises to “extreme” on Thursday. This affects state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties that are protected by ODF’s Southwest Oregon District.

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

Starting Thursday, mowing of dead or dry grass with power-driven equipment will not be allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 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. Chain saw users must have an ax, a shovel and an 8-oz or larger fire extinguisher at the work site, and a fire watch is required for one hour after the saw is shut down.

Any other equipment using an internal combustion engine may not be used in wildland areas between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. This includes, but is not limited to, generators, firewood splitters and chippers. During other hours, this equipment should be used only in a cleared area, and have a water supply and shovel close at hand.

The cutting, grinding or welding of metal will not be allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 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.

Below is a summary of other fire restrictions that have been in effect since July 15 and will remain in effect:

• Campfires are allowed only in designated campgrounds. Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed in other locations.
• Motorized vehicles are allowed only on improved roads.
• Smoking while traveling is allowed only in vehicles on improved roads.
• All debris burning, including debris burned in burn barrels, is prohibited.
• Fireworks use on forestlands is prohibited.
• 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 firesafe operation.

Information about fire season restrictions on ODF-protected lands is available online at www.swofire.oregon.gov, and at ODF Southwest Oregon District unit offices:

• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd.; (541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr.; (541) 474-3152

Medford Airtanker Base Pumps Nearly 11,000 Gallons For Dutch Fire

Retardant bombers hauled 10,808 gallons of retardant from the Medford Airtanker Base to the Dutch Fire on Saturday. This fire has burned 522 acres on the Klamath National Forest. Five bombers from California were used in the aerial assault.

The activity began just a few hours after the Aerial Firefighting Open House, which was held at the Medford Airtanker Base on Saturday morning. Nearly 325 people attended the open house.

To date, the Medford Airtanker Base has pumped 47, 581 gallons of retardant this summer.

Smokey turns 66 Aug. 9

Two-thirds of the folks who took last week's poll about Smokey Bear's age were correct. The fire-preventing bear turns 66 next Monday. Smokey was "born" Aug. 9 1944, which is the date the first Smokey Bear fire prevention poster was created.

Fire danger level to rise on Thursday

Starting Thursday, Aug. 5, the fire danger level on ODF-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties climbs to "Extreme." The use of chain saws, power-driven mowers and brush cutters, and the cutting, welding and grinding of metal will be shut down between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

For details on the restrictions, see www.swofire.oregon.gov.

The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at 2.