ODF Public Fire Restrictions Take Effect July 10, 2017 at 12:01 a.m.

The Oregon Department of Forestry will be  implementing Public Fire Restrictions for the Klamath-Lake District starting Monday July 10, 2017 at 12:01 am., we will also be moving from Moderate adjective class to High.

Each year human-caused wildfires wreak havoc on Oregon’s pristine landscapes and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to put out. In an effort to prevent careless fires, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Klamath-Lake District and Walker Range Patrol Association has imposed public fire restrictions related to activities known to start fires. Violators of this “Regulated-Use Closure” will not only be cited, but may be held liable for fire suppression costs should a fire result. The following activities are either restricted by time of day or prohibited entirely:

·         Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, and other designated locations.

·         Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at locations designated by the forester. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.

·         The use of power saws is prohibited during extreme fire danger. Chain saw use is permitted before 1 p.m. and after 8 p.m. during low, moderate and high fire danger. When permitted, each power saw is required to have one shovel and one fire extinguisher of at least 8 oz. capacity.

·         Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited during extreme fire danger and permitted before 1 p.m. and after 8 p.m. during low, moderate and high fire danger. When allowed, this activity must be conducted in a cleared area and have a charged garden hose or one 2-½ lb. or larger fire extinguisher immediately available.

·         Motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, are only allowed on improved roads free of flammable vegetation, except for the culture and harvest of agricultural crops.

·         Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2-½ lb. or larger fire extinguisher. All-terrain vehicles and motorcycles must be equipped with one 2-½ lb. or larger fire extinguisher.

·         The use of fireworks is prohibited.

Aside from these restrictions, also prohibited throughout fire season is backyard debris burning, the use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition. The recent high temperatures and low humidity’s have also forced the adjective class to be raised to “High”. Contact the Oregon Department of Forestry’s office at (541) 883-5681 Klamath Falls, (541) 947-331 Lakeview or log onto www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx for more information.

Klamath-Lake District ODF, Walker Range Patrol Association

Randall Baley - Klamath Unit,  Dustin Gustaveson – Lake Unit,  RD Buell- Walker Range

(541) 883-5681                                  (541) 947-3311                               (541) 433-2451