Central Oregon FS/BLM lands will enter Industrial Fire Protection Level 2 on Friday

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, federal public lands across Central Oregon will limit the hours of operation for chainsaws and certain other activities in order to better protect against wildfire danger.

These protections extend to all lands managed by the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, the Crooked River National Grassland, and the Prineville District of the BLM.

With a lack of precipitation and warming temperatures, fuel conditions continue to dry out across the region.  In recent weeks, firefighters have already responded to multiple natural and human-caused wildfires throughout Central Oregon.

Under Industrial Fire Protection Level 2, also known as “Partial Hootowl,” 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; and

• welding or cutting of metal.

A loading site is defined as a place where any product or material (including, but not limited to logs, firewood, slash, soil, rock, poles, etc.) is placed in or upon a truck or other vehicle.

Industrial Fire Protection Levels do not regulate the use of campfires, which are handled under Public Use Restrictions.

Currently, the only campfire restrictions on federal public lands in Central Oregon are annual restrictions along BLM rivers.

For more information, contact your local Forest Service or BLM office.