Public Use Fire Restrictions
What are Public Use Fire Restrictions?
Fire restrictions in effect on the Deschutes National Forest.
When vegetation moisture and weather conditions create increased wildfire potential in Central Oregon, land managers and fire officials implement public use fire restrictions. These restrictions help reduce the chance of human-caused wildfire starts.
On average, 85% of wildfires across the nation are caused by humans. Fire restrictions seek to reduce and eliminate unnecessary wildfires to help protect the landscape, communities and the local economy.
Fire restrictions are always carefully considered and are based on data before being implemented. Restrictions can affect where you are allowed to smoke, the types of roads you can travel, and where – or even if – you are allowed to have a campfire. You may still be able to use a portable propane fire pit or stove, but always check first.
Information on current restrictions or the current Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) can be obtained by contacting your Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737.
For current wildland fire information, the public can visit centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.
Current Fire Restrictions
Poster showing prohibited and allowed activities under Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions.
Prohibited:
Campfires Open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires, on Central Oregon public lands, except within the Deschutes National Forest Wilderness areas (Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Three Sisters, Diamond Peak and Mt. Thielsen Wildernesses) and within the designated, developed campgrounds in the below list.
Firewood Cutting Chainsaw use is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., with usage allowed outside of this timeframe. 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 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.
View the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Forest Order.
Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District:
- Big River Campground
- Big River Group Camp
- Bull Bend Campground
- Chief Paulina Horse Camp
- Cinder Hill Campground
- Crane Prairie Campground
- Cultus Lake Campground
- East Lake Campground
- Elk Lake Campground
- Fall River Campground
- Fall River Guard Station
- Gull Point Campground
- Lava Lake Campground
- Little Crater Campground
- Little Cultus Lake Campground
- Little Fawn Campground & Group Camp
- Little Lava Lake Campground
- Mallard Marsh Campground
- McKay Crossing Campground
- Newberry Group Camp
- North Twin Lake Campground
- Ogden Group Camp
- Paulina Lake Campground
- Point Campground
- Prairie Campground
- Quinn Meadow Horse Camp
- Quinn River Campground
- Rock Creek Campground
- Sheep Bridge Campground
- South Campground
- South Twin Campground
- West South Twin Campground
- Wyeth Campground
Crescent Ranger District:
- Crescent Lake Campground
- Odell Lake Resort and Campground
- Princess Creek Campground
- Shelter Cove Resort and Campground
- Simax Group Camp
- Spring Campground
- Sunset Cove Campground
- Trapper Creek Campground
- Whitefish Horse Camp
- Windy Group Site
Sisters Ranger District:
- Allen Springs Campground
- Allingham Campground
- Blue Bay Campground
- Camp Sherman Campground
- Candle Creek Campground
- Cold Springs Campground
- Driftwood Campground
- Gorge Campground
- Graham Corral Horse Camp
- Indian Ford Campground
- Jack Creek Campground
- Lava Camp Lake Campground
- Link Creek Campground
- Lower Bridge Campground
- Lower Canyon Creek Campground
- Perry South Campground
- Pine Rest Campground
- Pioneer Ford Campground
- Riverside Campground
- Scout Lake Campground
- Sheep Springs Horse Camp
- Smiling River Campground
- South Shore Campground
- Three Creek Meadow Campground & Horse Camp
- Three Creek Lake Campground
- Three Creek Meadow
- Whispering Pines Horse Camp
Forest Service & BLM Fire Restrictions Map
Do Your Part to Prevent a Spark!
Can I have a campfire?
- Check the map above to see if the place you’re heading allows campfires
- Or call 1-800-523-4737 for more information
Land managers and fire officials carefully consider the wildfire risk before implementing a campfire closure.
If a campfire is allowed where you’re planning to go, remember –
- Campfires should be contained within a campfire ring with combustible material cleared from at least 15 feet around it.
- Always bring a shovel and make sure you have plenty of water on hand to fully extinguish your fire.
- Drown. Stir. Feel. Make sure your campfire is dead out whenever it’s left unattended. Dead out means you can place your hand on top of where the campfire was located, and it is cool to touch.
Fireworks are always illegal on Forest Service lands in Central Oregon!
Fireworks restrictions vary from city to city throughout central Oregon, but they are ALWAYS illegal on Forest Service lands. Remember: possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device on public lands is against the law.
- Never park or drive on dry vegetation. On unmaintained dirt roads, often called “two-track” roads, the grass and brush that may grow down the center can dry out and be an extreme fire risk. Vehicles traveling along these roads can pick up this vegetation under their vehicles where it can quickly ignite.
- Secure trailer chains. Loose chains can drag on pavement creating sparks that can ignite vegetation.
- Properly discard smoking materials. Never toss them from a vehicle or on the ground where vegetation can ignite.
- Sparks arrestors are required for OHVs, chainsaws and other motorized equipment.
Forest Orders
- Stage 1 Fire Restrictions (Effective May 18, 2026, Order #06-01-26-03)
- Describes prohibitions associated with Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions.
- This Order becomes effective May 18, 2026, and will remain in force until November 30, 2026, or the Order is rescinded.
- Camping and Campfire Forest Order (Effective April 1, 2026, Order #06-01-26-01)
- Describes where camping and campfires are prohibited on the Deschutes National Forest.
- This Order becomes effective April 1, 2026, and will remain in force until April 2, 2031, or the Order is rescinded.
- Fireworks and Exploding Targets (Effective March 23, 2026, 36 CFR 261.5)
- The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Official Wildfire Information
The official source for current wildfire and prescribed burning information in Central Oregon.