Woodcutting Restricted due to Fire Danger
Release Date: Jul 2, 2015
Continued hot, dry weather has resulted in an increase of the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) on the Naches Ranger District to help reduce the risk of new wildfire starts.
Effective Friday, July 3, 2015, IFPL Zone 680 will be elevated to an IFPL 3 prohibiting woodcutting activity within the zone. Early this week Zone 675 elevated to an IFPL 3. With this change, woodcutting will be prohibited across the Naches Ranger District due to very high fire danger. Woodcutting season is normally open through October 4, 2015, but chainsaw use is subject to the restrictions set by the IFPL and fire danger.
IFPL restricts the use of certain equipment used by industry and public in the forest and is used to help prevent wildfires. Internal combustion equipment, such as generators and chainsaws, electric engines or any other devices which emit sparks are currently prohibited due to fire danger.
“We are experiencing near record high temperatures and fuel moistures dropping sooner than in past years. Chainsaws and equipment without proper exhaust systems or malfunctioning spark arrestors can expel embers sparking wildfires,” said District Assistant Fire Management Officer Julius Sims. “People should be extra cautious while visiting the forest during high fire danger. Always have proper spark arrestors on vehicles and use fireproof ashtrays or containers to dispose of cigarettes.”
For detailed information on industrial fire precaution levels visit fortress.wa.gov/dnr/ifpl/IFPL.aspx. Woodcutting permits with IFPL zone maps are sold at the Naches Ranger District. A detailed map of IFPL Zones 675 and 680 is available.
Please contact the Naches Ranger Station for more information on current conditions and fire restrictions on the national forest.
What to do if you smell smoke or see a fire:
- If a fire is burning or there is smoke present, call 9-1-1 or 1-800-826-3383 (Central Washington Interagency Coordination Center)
- Report the exact location of the fire and, if known, what is burning.