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Forest Orders

Forest Orders on the Deschutes National Forest

  • Cave Resource Protection Forest Order (Effective April 1, 2021 Order #06-01-21-02)
    • Describes the prohibitions for entering or exploring caves or areas near caves on the Deschutes National Forest.
    • This Order becomes effective April 1, 2021, and will remain in force until March 31, 2026, or the Order is rescinded.
  • Camping and Campfire Forest Order (Effective April 6, 2021, Order #06-01-21-01)
    • Describes where camping and campfires are prohibited on the Deschutes National Forest.
    • This Order becomes effective April 6, 2021, and will remain in force until April 5, 2026, or the Order is rescinded.
  • Deschutes 14-Day Camping Order (Effective November 14, 2024, Order #06-01-25-01)
    • Describes the prohibition of camping or otherwise occupying a single location for a period longer than 14 consecutive calendar days.
    • Describes the prohibition of camping, occupying, or otherwise leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies at any location on all national Forest lands described in order for more than 28 calendar days total during a calendar year.
    • This Order becomes effective November 14, 2024, through November 15, 2026, unless rescinded earlier.​
  • Wilderness Permit, Camping, and Fire Restrictions Order (Effective May 1, 2024, Order #06-01-24-01)
    • Describes the special restrictions and prohibitions for Wilderness areas on the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests.
    • This Order becomes effective at 12:00 a.m., May 1, 2024, and will remain in force until 11:59 p.m., April 30, 2029, or the Order is rescinded.
  • Firestone & Flat Top Fires Emergency Closure (Effective April 3, 2025 Order #06-01-01-25-04)
    • Prohibitions:
      • Going onto or being within an area closed for public health and safety. 36 CFR § 261.53(e).
      • Being on the road within the Closure Area. 36 CFR 261.54(e).
      • Being on a trail within the Closure Area. 36 CFR 261.SS(a).
    • The full closure order and description can be found here.
    • A map of the closure area can be found here.
    • This Order replaces and supersedes Order #06-01-01-25-02 (February 20, 2025).
    • This Order becomes effective on April 3, 2025, and will remain in effect through September 30, 2025, unless rescinded sooner.
  • Cabin Butte Area Closure (Effective May 1, 2025, Order #06-01-01-25-03)
    • Prohibitions:
    • The full closure order and description can be found here or in the document below.
    • A map of the closure area can be found here or in the document below.
    • This Order becomes effective on May 1, 2025, and will remain in effect through April 30, 2026, unless rescinded sooner.
    • The Cabin Butte Vegetation Management Project area will be closed to public access/entry to ensure public safety and support critical forest restoration efforts. The closure will restrict all access, including day use and overnight camping, while crews operate heavy machinery, conduct prescribed burns, and clean up hazardous materials. It is necessary to implement a full area closure to provide for public health and safety, and to allow Forest Service employees and contractors to complete the project in a safe and timely manner.
  • Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions (Effective July 18, 2025, #06-01-25-03)
    • These prohibitions apply to all lands throughout the entirety of the Deschutes National Forest. The Closure Area is shown on the included map.
    • This order becomes effective on July 18, 2025, and will remain in effect through November 30, 2025, unless rescinded sooner.
    • Prohibitions:
      • 1.  Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including a  charcoal fire 36 CFR § 261.52(a).
      • 2.  Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 CFR § 261.52(d).
      • 3. Using an explosive. 36 CFR § 261.52(b).
      • 4.  Operating equipment powered by an internal combustion engine - specifically chainsaws and portable generators. 36 CFR § 261.52(h).
      • 5. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame. 36 CFR § 261.52(i).
      • 6. Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System Roads and Trails, except when operating in compliance with travel management regulation depicted on the USFS Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.13. 36 CFR §261.56.
         
    • Exemptions:
      • Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following are exempt from this order:
        1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-77.00-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.
        2. Any Federal, State or Local Officer or member of an organized firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
        3. Petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices that have an on/off switch, provided that such devices meet the fire underwriter's specifications for safety as indicated by an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or other similar certification.
        4. Campfires contained inside established fire rings within campgrounds listed on Exhibit A.
        5. Chainsaw use is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Chainsaw use is allowed at all other hours. Saw operators are required to have a long-handled round point shovel with an 8-inch blade (size O), and a fire extinguisher (minimum ABC 8 oz.) in their possession. A 1-hour fire watch is required after saw operations cease.
        a. When conducting a fire watch, the watchman must be physically capable of remaining on duty for the purposes of extinguishing a potential fire. The watchman must remain at the site for one (1) hour after the shutdown of the last power-driven equipment, while patrolling and visually inspecting all sites where work was performed.
        6. Generators are allowed when fully contained in the bed of a truck or attached/mounted to a vehicle while lifted off of the ground, or in an area of at least 10 feet in diameter and cleared of all flammable material. Generators must also be equipped with an approved spark arrestor.
  • Flat Top Fire Emergency Closure Order (Effective August 25, 2025, Order #06-01-05-25-01)
    • Prohibitions:
      • Going onto or being within an area closed for public health and safety. 36 CFR § 261.53(e).
      • Being on the road within the Closure Area. 36 CFR 261.54(e).
      • Being on a trail within the Closure Area. 36 CFR 261.SS(a).
    • The full closure order and description can be found here.
    • A map of the closure area can be found here.
    • This Order becomes effective on August 25, 2025, and will remain in effect through December 31, 2025, unless rescinded sooner.

Last updated August 25th, 2025

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