Danger eases as fall arrives: Forest Service, BLM ending local public use fire restrictions this weekend
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Fire officials on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville District BLM said Friday they will end public use fire restrictions due to increased moisture, cooler temperatures and decreased daylight hours.
Here’s the full announcement by Central Oregon fire officials:
Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, public use fire restrictions will be lifted, and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will decrease to IFPL I, which requires a one-hour fire watch after equipment is shut down for the day and onsite water and/or a fire extinguisher and tools to prevent the spread of any fire. The fire danger rating is currently “moderate.”
Campfires are allowed across the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and on Prineville District BLM lands not currently under seasonal campfire restrictions.
Seasonal annual river corridor campfire restrictions remain in place for BLM-designated campgrounds along portions of the Crooked, Deschutes, John Day, and White Rivers, as well as on BLM-administered lands along Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus.
These restrictions prohibit campfires, charcoal fires, or any other type of open flame. This includes a ban on the use of portable propane campfires and wood pellet burning devices. Commercially manufactured lanterns and metal camp stoves used for cooking are allowed, when fueled with bottled propane or liquid fuel and operated in a responsible manner.
Remember to have plenty of water and a shovel on-hand when maintaining a campfire. Make sure your campfire is cold to the touch before you leave it unattended.
Prineville District BLM
Public use fire restrictions will remain in effect in La Pine until October 31st. For more information about Oregon/Washington BLM restrictions and closures, please visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions
Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device or using an explosive is always prohibited on National Forest System lands in Central Oregon and currently prohibited on BLM-administered lands in Central Oregon.
Information on current restrictions or the current Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) can be obtained by contacting your Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737.
For current wildfire information, the public can visit centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.