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Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires, on Deschutes National Forest lands, except within the Deschutes National Forest Wilderness areas (Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Three Sisters, Diamond Peak and Mt. Thielsen Wildernesses) and designated developed campgrounds.
Chainsaw use is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Saw operators must possess a long-handled round point shovel with an 8-inch blade (size 0) and a fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of ABC 8 oz. Additionally, a one-hour fire watch is required after ceasing saw operations.
Generators are permitted when fully contained in the bed of a truck or securely attached to a vehicle, provided that they are lifted off the ground or placed in an area cleared of all flammable materials within a 10-foot diameter and equipped with an approved spark arrestor.
Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
Traveling off developed roads and trails also is not allowed, except for the purpose of going to and from a campsite located within 300 feet of the open developed road. It is prohibited to possess or use a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads except when operating in compliance with travel management rules and the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).
Alert Start Date: May 18, 2026
Alert End Date: November 30, 2026
Order Number: 06-01-26-03
Contact Information
Contact Name: Deschutes National Forest
Contact Number: (541)383-5300
Associated Documents
Forest Order
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all
National Forest System Lands within the Deschutes National Forest. This Order is effective from May
18th, 2026 at 12:01 am, through November 30th, 2026, unless rescinded.
PROHIBITION AREA DESCRIPTION:
These prohibitions apply to all lands throughout the entirety of the Deschutes National Forest, except the
Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Thielsen, Mt. Washington, and Diamond Peak Wilderness areas.
PROHIBITIONS enacted by this order:
Campfires: Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, cook stove; including
solid fuel, charcoal briquette, gas/jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel or propane fire is
prohibited. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
Exemptions:
- When contained within Forest Service-constructed fire rings in designated recreation sites
listed in Exhibit A. - When the cook stove, lantern or campfire is fueled solely by gas, jellied petroleum or
pressurized liquid fuel or propane with an on/off switch and flammable vegetation is
cleared a minimum of 3-feet away from open flame on all sides.
Smoking: Prohibited. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
Exemptions:
- Within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, in a water way or
while stopped in an area at least 3-feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all
flammable material.
Internal Combustion Engines: Operating an internal combustion engine is prohibited. 36
C.F.R. § 261.52(g).
Exemptions:
- Operating chainsaws is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Chainsaw use is allowed at all other hours. A 1 PM shutdown is required with a 1-hour
Fire Watch to follow. The operator is responsible for having a shovel, fire extinguisher,
and/ or gallon of water readily accessible at all times. - Generators must be equipped with an approved spark arrestor and used in an area that is
cleared at least 10-feet in diameter of all flammable material.
Welding: Operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame is prohibited. 36 C.F.R. §
261.52(h).
Explosives: Using explosives is prohibited. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(b).
Use of vehicles off National Forest System roads: Prohibited off National Forest System trails
and roads designated on the Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). 36 C.F.R. § 261.56.
Exemptions:
- Parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10-feet of the roadway or minimum travel
over bare mineral soil to access dispersed camping.
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:
- Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas
Restricted by Regulation or Order) specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or
omission. - Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the
performance of an official duty.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.
Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or
$10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and
18 U.S.C. §§ 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581.
Executed at Bend, Oregon, this 14th day of May, 2026.
Maps
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