Fire Danger Level Drops to High in Wild and Scenic Section of Rogue River

The fire danger level is now “High” (yellow) in the Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River between Grave Creek and Marial (Oregon Department of Forestry Regulated Use Zone 12-R). Here are the current regulations:

1. 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.
2. Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, cooking fires and warming fires. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels, and charcoal fires for cooking and built in raised fire pans, are allowed on sand or gravel bars that lie between water and high water marks which are free of vegetation.
3. Possession of the following fire fighting equipment is required while traveling: one shovel and a one-gallon or larger bucket.
4. Use of fireworks is prohibited.

A list of all current fire prevention regulations on ODF’s Southwest Oregon District is posted at www.swofire.oregon.gov.

IFPL 1 Effective on ODF Southwest Oregon District

As of 8:00 a.m. today, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level is 1 (one) in all zones within the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District. This includes zones SW-1, SW-2, SW-3, SW-4, SK-3, RR-1, RR-2, RR-3 and all forestland within one-eighth mile thereof.

Links:

• For a summary of the IFPL regulations
• For a map of the IFPL zones
• For current information about IFPL and Regulated Use closures on the SWO District

Or call the SWO District unit offices at:

• Medford Unit, (541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, (541) 474-3152

Fire Danger Drops to High on Most ODF-Protected Lands in SW Oregon

The fire danger level on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties drops to High (yellow) this morning, and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level also changes to 1 (one) in several zones.

Here is a summary of fire prevention restrictions that have changed as of today:

• Chain saws may be used until 1:00 p.m. and after 8:00 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.
• Mowing dead or dry grass with power-driven equipment is allowed until 1:00 p.m. and after 8:00 p.m. This restriction does not include mowing of green lawns, or equipment used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.
• The cutting, grinding or welding metal is allowed until 1:00 p.m. and after 8:00 p.m. The work site must be cleared of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials, and a water supply must be stationed at the job site.
• Any other equipment using an internal combustion engine may used in wildland areas until 1:00 p.m. and after 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.

In addition, the following public-use restrictions 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 a burn barrel, 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