August 16, 2016
The fire danger level rises to “Extreme” (red) at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, August 18, in the Wild & Scenic Section of the Rogue River. The Oregon Dept. of Forestry protects the Bureau of Land Management section of the river between Grave Creek and Marial, and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest protects the section from Marial downstream to Watson Creek.
Here are the regulations going into effect on Thursday:
- Smoking will be prohibited except in boats on the water, and on naturally vegetation-free gravel bars and sand bars below the river’s high-water mark.
- Open fires will be prohibited, including camp fires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires. However, portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels will be allowed on naturally vegetation-free gravel bars and sand bars below the high-water mark
- Travelers must carry a shovel and bucket (one-gallon size).
- Fireworks will be prohibited.
For further information about fire restrictions in all parts of the Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River, contact the Smullin Visitor Center located at the Rand National Historic Site at (541) 479-3735.
For more information and to see the full text of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest order, including a list of designated recreation sites where campfires are permitted, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire season regulations, contact ODF’s Grants Pass Unit at 5375 Monument Drive, Grants Pass. The phone number is (541) 474-3152.
August 16, 2016
Industrial operations on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties will be required to follow stricter fire prevention regulations starting at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, August 18. Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3 (three) requires logging, road building and other operations in forests and wildland areas to shut down most equipment by 1:00 p.m.
These measures are necessary to prevent wildfires as much of the southwest portion of the state is in a period of hot weather, dry afternoon winds and low humidity.
The public regulated use fire danger level climbed to “Extreme” (red) on Monday and will remain at that level for the foreseeable future.
Under Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3, the following fire prevention regulations take effect on Thursday:
- Cable yarding will not be allowed. However, gravity operated-logging systems employing non-motorized carriages may operate until 1:00 p.m. and after 8:00 p.m. These systems must have all blocks and moving lines suspended 10 feet above the ground, except the line between the carriage and the chokers;
- Power saw use will not be allowed. However, power saws may be used until 1:00 p.m. and after 8:00 p.m. at loading sites and on tractor or skidder operations;
- In addition, the following equipment and operations must shut down between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.:
- Tractor/skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder, or shovel logging operations where tractors, skidders or other equipment with a blade capable of constructing fireline are immediately available to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start;
- Mechanized loading or hauling of any product or material;
- Blasting;
- Welding or cutting of metal;
- Any spark-emitting activity not specifically mentioned above.
The following IFPL regulations are currently in effect and will remain in effect:
- The use of fire in any form is prohibited;
- Commercial operations must have fire suppression equipment on the job site;
- Watchman service must be provided.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire season regulations, contact the unit office in your area:
- Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. Phone: (541) 664-3328
- Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Drive, Grants Pass. Phone: (541) 474-3152
August 16, 2016
The Redwood Highway Fire is 100 percent contained.
The fire burned 54 acres since it started on August 12 in Selma along Redwood Highway. Firefighters still on scene will be returning home today.
The fire destroyed three homes, several outbuildings and prompted the evacuation of dozens, all whom have been allowed to return home, with the last evacuation notice lifted Saturday night.
As of Sunday morning, there were no longer any road closures in effect due to fire activity and all temporary flight restrictions in the area have been lifted.
The fire was fueled by hot temperatures, gusty winds and dry vegetation. These factors made for a quick-moving fire that was able to jump the highway in a matter of minutes.
The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District would like to thank all agencies in Josephine and Jackson Counties that assisted with the containment of this fire.
