Redmond, Oregon – With
consistently cooler nights and reduced fire activity around the Pacific
Northwest, the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management, the Deschutes and
Ochoco National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland are lifting
campfire restrictions effective 12:01 a.m. September 20, (Wednesday) on public
lands in Central Oregon. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will drop to
Level 2, which means that personal firewood cutting is again allowed between
the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.
For the reduction in Public Use Restrictions, open fires,
including charcoal fires, will be allowed. Be aware that some federal sites
still have campfire restrictions such as Hosmer Lake, and that the seasonal
restrictions on BLM-administered lands in the following areas remain in effect:
Until September 30,
2016:
On public lands within 1/4 mile of the river’s edge in the
following locations:
Mainstem John Day River from Tumwater Falls (River Mile 10)
upstream to Kimberly (River Mile 185);
North Fork John Day River, from the confluence with the
mainstem at Kimberly (River Mile 0) upstream to the Umatilla National Forest
boundary (River Mile 62);
South Fork John Day River from Smokey Creek (River Mile 6)
upstream to Malheur National Forest boundary (River Mile 47).
Until October 15, 2016:
Crooked River -
Within ½ mile of the river’s edge along the Lower Crooked River from the
Highway 97 Bridge to Lake Billy Chinook.
Deschutes River - Within ½ mile of the river’s edge from the
Highway 20 bridge to Lake Billy Chinook; including all BLM-administered lands
north of the Jefferson county line and between the Deschutes River and
Crooked River. Within ½ mile of Lake Simtustus (between
Round Butte Dam and Pelton Dam)
Within the Lower Deschutes National Wild and Scenic River
corridor (Pelton Dam to the Columbia River)
Lake Billy Chinook - Those public lands located within ½
mile of Lake Billy Chinook; including BLM Beach dispersed recreation site
located approximately ½ mile east of the Three Rivers Recreation Area on the
south shore of the Metolius River Arm of the lake.
White River - Within ½ mile of the river’s edge from its
confluence with the Deschutes River upstream to the eastern boundary of the
Mount Hood National Forest.
At the same time, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level
(IFPL), which regulates permitted and commercial activities on federal lands,
will drop to a Level II (called a Partial Hootowl). Under this level,
commercial and personal woodcutting, welding, cable yarding and blasting is
allowed, where authorized, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. with a
minimum of a one-hour fire watch following activity.
Officials want to remind the public that using explosive
target material, such as Tannerite, explosives, and fireworks continue to be
prohibited on all federal lands.
Officials carefully consider the current fire situation,
fuel moisture and predicted weather before making the decision to lift fire
restrictions. Fire Officials want to remind people recreating on public lands
to continue to use caution even though fall is approaching and temperatures are
cooling down; wildfires are still possible. All campfires, including warming
fires used by hunters, should be cold to the touch when not being watched.
Every fire that’s prevented protects our communities and helps our firefighters
remain available, rested, and safe.
For
Central Oregon Fire Information Fire hotline, please call 541-316-7711 or keep
up-to-date on fire activity by following us on Twitter at @CentralORFire.
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