Forest Order – ORDER NO. 06-15-00-23-471 FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Alert

Date(s): Aug 16, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023

Subject: Forest Order – Fire Restrictions 06-15-00-23-471 From: ALICE CARLTON, Forest Supervisor The Umpqua National Forest implements Fire Restrictions to reduce the likelihood of human caused fires during periods of high fire danger. Forest Order No. 06-15-00-23-471 will prohibit campfires; smoking, except in certain areas; open flame devices, except liquid gas or propane stoves; and the use of combustion engines off of National Forest System roads and trails. These restrictions will be in place until December 31, 2023, unless rescinded sooner. This order supersedes order # 06-15-00-23-470.

Fire Restrictions are implemented based on current and expected fire danger for lands administered by the Forest. Fire restrictions prohibit actions that are inherent to accidental wildfire ignitions. Restricting actions that are known to result in accidental ignitions will serve to increase the safety and welfare of the public and employees, in addition to limiting impacts to natural and cultural resources. Forest Orders already implemented this year:

Forest Order No. Description

06-15-00-23-469 Umpqua National Forest– Level I Public Use Fire Restrictions
06-15-00-23-470 Umpqua National Forest- Level II Public Use Fire Restrictions

This Forest Order includes an exemption for persons with a Forest Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order (Form FS-7700-48). Authorization under this exemption will be provided only if I or my delegate determine that the risk to personal health and safety is reasonable considering the circumstances of the request. We also may require appropriate personal protective equipment and other necessary safety measures. I hereby delegate the authority to sign Form FS-7700-48 granting an exemption to this Forest Order to all District Rangers of the Umpqua National Forest.

Scoping has been done with Douglas County Fire Protection Agency, Bureau of Land Management, and Oregon Department of Forestry. USFS employees with areas of expertise in resource, fire protection, and recreation have been involved with the development of the proposed closure.

I have concluded that this decision may be categorically excluded from documentation in an Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act. This action falls within the category identified in 36 C.F.R. § 220.6(d)(1) – prohibitions to provide short-term resource protection or to protect public health and safety – and does not require documentation in a decision memo, decision notice, or record of decision. I have determined that there are no extraordinary circumstances associated with this temporary closure. Implementation of the decision may begin immediately.

It is recognized that implementing fire restrictions does have an impact on the public and those who work on Forest lands. The intent is to issue the “Level I Restrictions” early in the season and progress to “Level II” and “Level III” as fire season progresses, and the need arises for more limiting fire restrictions. Forest Orders will be reduced or rescinded as soon as they are no longer needed.

ALICE B. CARLTON Forest Supervisor Umpqua National Forest

Subject: Forest Order – Fire Restrictions 06-15-00-23-471 From: ALICE CARLTON, Forest Supervisor The Umpqua National Forest implements Fire Restrictions to reduce the likelihood of human caused fires during periods of high fire danger. Forest Order No. 06-15-00-23-471 will prohibit campfires; smoking, except in certain areas; open flame devices, except liquid gas or propane stoves; and the use of combustion engines off of National Forest System roads and trails. These restrictions will be in place until December 31, 2023, unless rescinded sooner. This order supersedes order # 06-15-00-23-470.

Fire Restrictions are implemented based on current and expected fire danger for lands administered by the Forest. Fire restrictions prohibit actions that are inherent to accidental wildfire ignitions. Restricting actions that are known to result in accidental ignitions will serve to increase the safety and welfare of the public and employees, in addition to limiting impacts to natural and cultural resources. Forest Orders already implemented this year:

Forest Order No. Description

06-15-00-23-469 Umpqua National Forest– Level I Public Use Fire Restrictions
06-15-00-23-470 Umpqua National Forest- Level II Public Use Fire Restrictions

This Forest Order includes an exemption for persons with a Forest Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order (Form FS-7700-48). Authorization under this exemption will be provided only if I or my delegate determine that the risk to personal health and safety is reasonable considering the circumstances of the request. We also may require appropriate personal protective equipment and other necessary safety measures. I hereby delegate the authority to sign Form FS-7700-48 granting an exemption to this Forest Order to all District Rangers of the Umpqua National Forest.

Scoping has been done with Douglas County Fire Protection Agency, Bureau of Land Management, and Oregon Department of Forestry. USFS employees with areas of expertise in resource, fire protection, and recreation have been involved with the development of the proposed closure.

I have concluded that this decision may be categorically excluded from documentation in an Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act. This action falls within the category identified in 36 C.F.R. § 220.6(d)(1) – prohibitions to provide short-term resource protection or to protect public health and safety – and does not require documentation in a decision memo, decision notice, or record of decision. I have determined that there are no extraordinary circumstances associated with this temporary closure. Implementation of the decision may begin immediately.

It is recognized that implementing fire restrictions does have an impact on the public and those who work on Forest lands. The intent is to issue the “Level I Restrictions” early in the season and progress to “Level II” and “Level III” as fire season progresses, and the need arises for more limiting fire restrictions. Forest Orders will be reduced or rescinded as soon as they are no longer needed.

ALICE B. CARLTON Forest Supervisor Umpqua National Forest

All Forest Alerts