Fire Danger Level Remains Extreme Heading into Labor Day Weekend and Hunting and Mushroom Seasons
Release Date: Aug 27, 2014
Contact(s): Erica Hupp 541-883-6714; Lisa Swinney 541-947-6261
Lakeview, Oregon - Interagency fire officials would like to remind the public that the fire danger level in south central Oregon is still extreme. Human-caused wildfires are still a major concern heading into the Labor Day weekend and hunting and Matsutake mushroom seasons.
It has been a particularly dry year and safety measures need to be taken to help prevent wildfires. The public can help prevent these unwanted fires by following some simple guidelines:
Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, stove fire, or charcoal briquette fire is prohibited.
- Fires,campfires,or stove fires are only allowed within designated areas.
- Portablegenerator useisallowed onlywithin designated areas.
- Portable cooking stoves and heaters using liquefied or bottled gas are allowed.
- Smoking is prohibited, except within enclosed vehicles or buildings, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable material.
- A motorized vehicle (includes all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, cars, pickups, etc.) can only be operated on designated open roads where vegetationdoes not come intocontactwiththevehicle'sundercarriage.
- Motorized vehicles parked off roadways must be in an area barren of flammable material, including vegetation.
- Power saw use is prohibited.
- Spark arresting devices must be properly installed and maintained on all internal or external combustion engines.
Besides normal outdoor gear, the public needs to include some basic fire prevention equipment:
- A long-handled, round point shovel with a blade not less than eight inches wide; and
- A pressurized chemical fire extinguisher of not less than eight ounces capacity by weight.
Recreationists, hunters and mushroom pickers should also report any fires in south central Oregon by calling call 9-1-1 or contact the Lakeview Interagency Fire Center at 541-947-6315.
“Some of our best fire detection comes from individuals in the field,” said Joe Reinarz, Interagency Fire Staff Officer for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District and Fremont-Winema National Forest. “When people report a fire, it improves our response time and often results in a much smaller fire than it may have been otherwise.”
Reinarz noted that south central Oregon has a very good record of fire safety over the Labor Day weekend and during hunting and Matsutake mushroom picking seasons.
“The key to fire safety is awareness,” said Reinarz. “The public needs to use common sense and be aware of the potential for wildfires no matter what the conditions. A responsible person’s actions can make a huge difference in protecting both property and wildlife resources.”
When planning any outdoor adventure, people are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” and call ahead to check on location conditions and current restrictions.
To find out information about active forest fires in the Pacific Northwest visit:
http://www.nwccweb.us/information/firemap.aspx
The location of these fires may affect trip planning.
For local fire information visit:
http://twitter.com/scofmpfireinfo
For the complete public use restriction orders, go to:
2014 Forest Service Public Use Restrictions Order
2014 BLM Lakeview District Public Use Restrictions Order