[Prineville, Ore] Fire season remains in effect for lands
protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District despite recent
rains and cooler temperatures. A Regulated
Use Closure restricting activities with an increased risk of ignition is also
in effect for the District. Rain from
earlier this week has not reduced the risk of large fire growth. Fire managers continue to monitor fuels and
evaluate conditions for fire danger. “While
we haven’t seen the wildfire activity in central Oregon like we have in recent
years, we need everyone to remember it’s still August and there is significant
warm dry weather ahead of us,” reminds Gordon Foster, Prineville-Sisters Unit
Forester.
Open burning, including debris burning is not allowed
within the District. Cover debris piles
for burning later in the fall after significant rainfall, outside of fire
season. The weather forecast call for
warmer weather in the coming days, which will quickly dry fuels dampened by the
rain.
As part of the Regulated Use Closure campfires are not
allowed on lands protected by ODF unless in a designated location. With archery season beginning Saturday,
hunters should know the current restrictions before heading to their favorite
hunting spot. Hunters should be prepared for cool conditions and remember that
warming fires are prohibited.
Activities
below are restricted by the Regulated Closure.
Additional restrictions and the full proclamation can be accessed at www.Oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx
· Possession of the following
firefighting equipment is required while traveling in a motorized vehicle,
except on federal and state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel
and one gallon of water or one operational 2½ pound or larger fire
extinguisher, except all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles which must be
equipped with an approved spark arrestor in good working condition.
· Smoking is prohibited while
traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads.
· Open fires are prohibited, including campfires,
charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except in designated areas.
· Mowing dried grass with power driven
equipment is prohibited, between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., except for the
commercial culture/harvest of agricultural crops.
· Use of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and
all-terrain vehicles, is prohibited, except on improved roads and except for
vehicle use by a landowner and employees of the landowner upon their own land
while conducting activities associated with their livelihood.
· The use of tracer ammunition or exploding targets is
illegal within the District during fire season.
As of January 1, 2017 sky lanterns and other luminaries are prohibited
in Oregon.