Skip to main content
  • Phase A Public Use Restrictions

    Due to increased fire danger and dry weather conditions, Phase A of the Public Use Restrictions (PURS) for smoking, off-road travel, and chainsaw use will go into effect on the Umatilla National Forest at 12:01 a.m. (pacific time) on Friday, July 4, 2025. 

Alert Start Date: July 4th, 2025

Alert End Date: October 31st, 2025

Order Number: 06-14-00-25-00

Associated Documents

Forest Order

Pursuant to 36 CFR §§ 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Umatilla National Forest, in the State of Oregon and Washington. This Order is effective from July 4, 2025 12:01 am, through October 31, 2025, unless rescinded sooner:   

  1. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 CFR § 261.52(d).
  2. Operating an Internal Combustion Engine 36 CFR § 261.52(g).
    1. Any person is exempt from Prohibition 2, when operating a chainsaw, when they have a valid personal use firewood cutting permit and follow the conditions outlined in the permit for woodcutting.
    2. Any person is exempt from Prohibition 2, when operating a chainsaw between the hours of 8:00 pm to 1:00 pm.
    3. Any person is exempt from Prohibition 2 when using a generator, but only if the generator is being used in an area that has been cleared at least 10 feet in diameter of all flammable material. When factory installed in a recreational vehicle, generator exhaust discharge must be in a center of an area with at least 10 feet clearance from all flammable materials.
  3. Possessing or using a vehicle off National Forest System roads. 36 CFR § 261.56.
    1. Any person is exempt from Prohibition 3 when traveling to and from a dispersed campsite within 300 feet of open and developed road. Vehicles must be parked in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
  4. Using an explosive. 36 CFR § 261.52(b).

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A, which includes but is not limited to the following year-round prohibitions: 

  1. Leaving a fire without completely extinguishing it. 36 CFR § 261.5(d).
  2. Building, attending, maintaining, or using a campfire without removing all flammable material from around the campfire adequate to prevent its escape. 36 CFR § 261.5(f).
  3. Possessing or using an exploding target or any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. 36 CFR § 261.5(h).
  4. Operating or using any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device that is properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order in accordance with USDA Forest Service Standard 5100-1. 36 CFR § 261.5(j).

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:

  1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.
  2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

These orders are in addition to the General Prohibitions described in 36 CFR 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 6 months, or both. 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581.

Executed at Pendleton, Oregon, this fourth day of July 2025.

Contact Name:

Umatilla National Forest

Contact Number:

(541) 278-3716

Last updated July 3rd, 2025