Triple-digit temperatures recently have increased the wildfire danger in forests and wildland areas protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District. At 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 31, the official fire danger level will climb to Extreme (red) on all state, private and county forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties.
The public fire restrictions that go into effect on Friday are detailed below. The industrial fire precaution levels will remain at a level 2 for now:
- Power saws are not allowed to be used at any time.
- Equipment used for the cutting, grinding or welding of metal may not be used at any time.
- The mowing of dry, cured grass with power equipment may not take place at any time. This regulation does not apply to farm equipment used for the culture and harvest of crops.
- The use of any other spark-emitting equipment using an internal combustion engine is disallowed at any time.
The following fire prevention regulations shall remain in effect:
- Fire-fighting equipment will be required to be carried in vehicles that travel off of state highways, county roads or driveways. This equipment includes one shovel and a one-gallon container of water or a fire extinguisher (2.5 lb. or larger).
- Motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles are required to have a 2.5 lb. or larger fire extinguisher.
- Motorized vehicles will be allowed only on improved roads that are free of flammable vegetation. This regulation does not apply to farm vehicles used for the culture and harvest of crops.
- Campfires will be allowed only in designated campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used in other locations.
- Smoking is allowed only in an enclosed vehicle, in a boat on the water, or in a cleared area within a campsite.
- Fireworks are not allowed to be used in any wildland or forest area.
- Debris burning is not allowed.
- Tracer ammunition and exploding targets are not to be used except in an approved range that has been cleared of flammable vegetation.
- Electric fence controllers must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, be properly grounded, and tested regularly to ensure firesafe operation.
For more information about fire season regulations, call the Southwest Oregon District office at 541-664-3328.