Fire restrictions ease on private lands in northeast Oregon

Rain and cooler temperatures have prompted the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to ease fire restrictions on private forestlands in the Northeast Oregon District, effective Aug. 15. ODF removed additional restrictions added Aug. 9 to an existing regulated-use closure. Areas affected by the change include private, state, county, municipal and tribal lands in the following counties: Union, Baker, Wallowa, Umatilla and small portions of Grant, Malheur and Morrow.

The original regulated-use closure, enacted July 15 to limit human-caused fires, remains in place. 

Cooler weather may give a false sense of security which can result in a higher occurrence of human-caused fires.  The public’s cooperation over the last week during a period of high fire danger and intense thunderstorms is appreciated by firefighters who have worked long hours to contain numerous fires ignited by lightning.