Prevention
Fire Restrictions
Current fire danger levels can be found near the top of the webpage in the Alerts and Fire Danger status.
Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) and current public use restrictions at Malheur National Forest.
| North Zone: Blue Mountain & Prairie City Ranger Districts | South Zone: Emigrant Creek Ranger District |
|---|---|
Fire Danger: MODERATE IFPL: I PUR: Seasonal Restrictions
| Fire Danger: High IFPL: I PUR: Seasonal Restrictions
|
Fire Danger Levels
LOW - When the fire danger is "low" it means that fuels do not ignite easily from small embers, but a more intense heat source, such as lightning, may start fires in duff or dry rotten wood. Fires in open, dry grasslands may burn easily a few hours after a rain, but most wood fires will spread slowly, creeping or smoldering. Control of fires is generally not an issue
MODERATE - When the fire danger is "moderate" it means that fires can start from most accidental causes, but the number of fire starts is usually pretty low. If a fire does start in an open, dry grassland, it will burn and spread quickly on windy days. Most wood fires will spread slowly to moderately. Average fire intensity will be moderate except in heavy concentrations of fuel, which may burn hot. Fires are still not likely to become serious and are often easier to control.
HIGH - When the fire danger is "high", fires can start easily from most causes and small fuels (such as grasses and needles) will ignite readily. Unattended campfires and brush fires are likely to escape. Fires will spread easily, with some areas of high-intensity burning on slopes or concentrated fuels. Fires can become serious and difficult to control unless they are put out while they are still small.
EXTREME - When the fire danger is "extreme", fires of all types start quickly and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious and can spread very quickly with intense burning. Small fires become big fires much faster than at the "very high" level. Spot fires are probable, with long-distance spotting likely. These fires are very difficult to fight and may become very dangerous and often last for several days
Industrial Fire Precaution Level Definitions (IFPL)
Fire precaution requirements are in effect. A fire watch/security is required at this and all higher levels unless otherwise waived.
Partial Hoot-owl:
The following may operate only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time:
- power saws except at loading sites;
- cable yarding;
- blasting;
- welding or cutting of metal
Partial Shutdown:
The following are prohibited except as indicated:
- Cable yarding – except that gravity operated logging systems employing nonmotorized carriages or approved motorized carriages may operate between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. when all block and moving lines, except for the line between the carriage and the chokers, are suspended ten feet above the ground;
- Power saws – except power saws may be used at loading sites and on tractor/skidder operations between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time.
General Shutdown:
All operations are prohibited.
Public Use Restriction Phases (PUR)
The following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Malheur National Forest.
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.
Exemptions:
- When contained within Forest Service-constructed fire rings in designated recreation sites:
BLUE MOUNTAIN RANGER DISTRICT EMIGRANT CREEK RANGER DISTRICT PRAIRIE CITY RANGER DISTRICT Billy Fields Campground
Deerhorn Campground
Deer Creek Guard Station
Dixie Campground
Fall Mountain Lookout
Head O’Boulder Forest Camp
Lower Camp Creek Campground
Magone Lake Campground**
Middle Fork Campground
Murderers Creek Guard Station
Oregon Mine Campground
Parish Cabin Campground
Pine Creek Horse Camp
Starr Campground
Wickiup Campground
Buck Spring Campground
Delintment Campground
Emigrant Campground(Closed)
Falls Campground
Idlewild Campground**
Joaquin Miller Horse Camp
Rock Springs Camp (T.18S R.32E. Sec24)
Tip Top Campground
Yellowjacket Campground(Closed_
Big Creek Campground
Crescent Campground
Elk Creek Campground
Little Crane Campground
Lake Creek Youth Camp
Murray Campground
North Fork Malheur Campground
Short Creek Guard Station
Slide Creek Horse Camp
Strawberry Campground
Trout Farm Campground
- 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.
Exemptions:
- Except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a recreation site, 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. .
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.
- Explosives: Using explosives is prohibited.
Use of vehicles off National Forest System roads: Prohibited off National Forest System trails and roads.
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.
The following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Malheur National Forest.
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.
Exemptions:
- 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.
Exemptions:
- Except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a recreation site, 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.
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 a spark arrestor and used in an area that is cleared at least 10-foot in diameter of all flammable material.
- Welding: Operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame is prohibited.
- Explosives: Using explosives is prohibited.
Use of vehicles off National Forest System roads: Prohibited off National Forest System trails and roads.
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.
The following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Malheur National Forest.
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.
Exemptions:
- 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.
Exemptions:
- Except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a recreation site, 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, including chainsaw use is prohibited.
Exemptions:
- Generators must be equipped with 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.
- Explosives: Using explosives is prohibited.
- Use of vehicles off National Forest System roads: Prohibited off National Forest System trails and roads.