Restrictions on campfires, smoking and other activities that could spark human-caused fires in flammable areas are going into effect Monday.
The wildfire season in Southwest Oregon started on May 1.
Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service and federal Bureau of Land Management officials are adding on more precautions as the fire season advances. Weekend rain will give way to temperatures in the mid-80s by the middle of the week, according to forecasts.
Firefighters are bracing for a fire season complicated by drought across Southwest Oregon and the need to adjust operations to limit the spread of COVID-19 among firefighters, who typically work side-by-side and live in close proximity in crowded fire camps during large wildfire incidents.
“This year, it is especially important everyone does their part to reduce human-caused wildfires,” Medford District BLM officials said in a press release.
Officials said they are taking the necessary steps to ensure they can deploy firefighters during these challenging times.
On BLM land in Jackson and Josephine counties, campfires will only be allowed at the Hyatt Lake Campground once access is restored, BLM officials said.
Many campgrounds across the state have closed due to COVID-19 concerns.
On all other BLM land, visitors can use portable cooking stoves that use liquefied or bottled fuels. Otherwise, campfires or any other type of open fire, including the use of charcoal briquettes, is prohibited.
Smoking on BLM land is only allowed while inside a vehicle or while stopped in a minimum three-foot diameter area clear of flammable vegetation.
Operating a motor vehicle, including a motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle, and parking off-road is allowed only on roadways clear of flammable vegetation.
Using fireworks, exploding targets or tracer ammunition is prohibited.
Using a chain saw or other equipment with internal combustion engines for felling, bucking, skidding, wood cutting or any other operation within areas having a significant accumulation of dead or down slash or timber is prohibited.
Welding or operating a torch with an open flame is also prohibited.
Visitors to BLM lands must carry tools with them to ensure small fires can be put out quickly, such as a shovel, ax and at least one gallon of water or a minimum 2.5 pound fire extinguisher.
Violation of any restrictions can result in a fine up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.
For updated information on public use restrictions, visit www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington or the Oregon Department of Forestry’s website at www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx.
ODF is charged with protecting BLM and private forests in Southwest Oregon.
More restrictions are also going into effect Monday on Forest Service lands across Southwest Oregon.
“Together with our interagency partners, we’re facing an above-normal fire year, drought conditions and a pandemic,” said Kathy Westenskow-Davis, deputy forest supervisor for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. “By limiting ignition sources, you’re doing your part to protect our communities and firefighters from preventable smoke, fire and exposure.”
People are not allowed to have fires, campfires or regular stove fires on Forest Service land except at designated sites, such as fee campgrounds with campfire structures installed by the agency or a site permitee. Campfires are allowed in some wilderness areas.
Propane or liquid fuel-powered stoves are allowed.
Using explosives or using fireworks is always banned.
