ODF Increases Regulated Use Closure Restrictions

Additional Public Use Restrictions Implemented on Lands Protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Northeast Oregon

Effective 12:01 am August 9, 2014

Effective at 12:01 a.m. August 9, 2014 the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) added additional regulations to the Regulated Use Closure for lands within the Northeast Oregon District.  The Regulated Use Closure affects private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands in seven counties: Union, Baker, Wallowa, Umatilla, and small portions of Malheur, Morrow and Grant Counties.  The Regulated Use Closure is intended to protect natural resources and public health and safety.

Persistent hot, dry weather over the last several weeks has raised fire danger to extreme levels.  The current weather pattern is expected to continue, with the possibility of more thunderstorms by this weekend or early next week.  “These additional restrictions are being implemented to help reduce the threat of human caused fires,” explains Dennis Perilli, Pendleton Unit Forester.  Numerous large fires throughout the region have diminished the number of resources that are available to respond to new fire starts.

The Regulated Use Closure includes the following activities:

·         Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking and warming fires, except at designated locations. Designated locations within the Regulated Use Closure area can be found at the following State Parks:  Emigrant Springs, Ukiah Dale, Catherine Creek, Hilgard Junction, Red Bridge, Wallowa Lake, Minam, and Unity Lake.  Additional designated locations can be verified by calling local unit offices.  Make sure campfires in these designated locations are DEAD OUT before leaving. 

·         Debris burning is prohibited, including the use of burn barrels.

·         Non-industrial chain saw use is prohibited.

·         Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, or at a cleared area free of flammable vegetation.

·         Use of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all terrain vehicles (ATVs), is prohibited except on improved roads, except for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.

·         Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited unless specifically waived by the State Forester.

·         Mowing of dried and cured grass with power driven equipment is prohibited. 

·         Use of fireworks is prohibited.

·         The use of exploding targets is prohibited.

·         Use of tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base is prohibited.

·         Any electric fence controller in use shall be: 1) Listed  by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and 2 ) Operated in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions.

• Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.

The Regulated Use Closure for private forest lands is designed to help fire managers reduce the threat of human caused fires during hot and dry periods.  While many fires on forestland are ignited by lightning, a significant number of wildfires each year are caused by human activities. Preventing fire starts from human activities reduces impacts to our natural resources, enhances our public safety and preserves the natural beauty of northeast Oregon.