Prevention

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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

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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.

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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.

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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 "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

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.

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.