Fire Managers increase fire danger level and IFPL

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LAKEVIEW, Ore. - Beginning Thursday, July 28, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and all private, county, and state wildlands protected by the Klamath-Lake District, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will be raising the Fire Danger Level to EXTREME.   

With the progression of summer conditions and continuous drying of forest fuels, local fire danger levels have reached “EXTREME.” Fires starting in these conditions have the potential for rapid fire spread and significant damage.  

Additional fire prevention requirements have been placed on industrial forest operations. High-speed rotary saws and tracked felling/skidding equipment are required to shut down between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. High-speed rotary saws are also REQUIRED to have an “operation area observer” visually inspecting the area worked in and additional fire equipment. These are in addition to the normal requirements listed in “A Guide to Legal Requirements for Prevention and Controlling Fires in Operations On and Near Forest Land in Oregon.”   

The “Fire season in effect” declaration on June 6 put regulations restricting debris burning and timber harvest operations. Wildland and structural fire protection agencies in Klamath and Lake counties have agreed to prohibit all outdoor debris burning. Forest operations that require a permit to operate power-driven machinery are required to have fire tools, on-site water supply, and watchman service on privately owned forest land. The release of sky lanterns is prohibited at any time of the year. The discharge of exploding targets and the discharge of tracer ammunition are not permitted during the duration of the fire season. 

For more information on restrictions, please visit: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx 

Industrial Fire Precaution Level III (IFPL) will be implemented on public lands administered by the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District, and Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex. 

Under IFPL III, personal and commercial woodcutters are prohibited from operating power saws. 

Personal and commercial woodcutters are reminded of their responsibility to stay informed of current IFPLs and all restrictions that apply to activities conducted on public lands. Failure to comply with precautionary fire requirements may result in the issuance of a Violation Notice. 

Public Use Restrictions apply to lands managed by the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District, and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex and Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The following restrictions apply: 

  • Building, maintaining, attending, or using campfires or stove fires are allowed only in designated campgrounds/areas. Contact your local Forest Service, BLM, or USFWS offices may obtain specific site information.

  • Portable cooking stoves utilizing liquefied or bottled fuel sources continue to be allowed on all public lands managed by the Fremont-Winema National Forest, BLM’s Lakeview District, and USFWS Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex and Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

  • Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle.

  • A motorized vehicle (this includes all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, cars, pickups, etc.) may only be operated on roads where vegetation does not come into contact with the vehicle’s undercarriage.

  • Motorized vehicles parked off roadways must be in an area barren of flammable material, including vegetation.

  • Internal combustion engines (generators, etc.) not previously addressed may only be operated within designated campgrounds/areas.

  • Power saw operations are prohibited.

  • No welding equipment may be used, including acetylene or open flame torches.

  • All motorized vehicles must carry the following equipment:

    • One shovel not less than 26 inches in overall length, with a blade not less than eight inches wide,

    • One water container of at least one gallon in size filled or a 2.5 pound fully charged fire extinguisher,

    • One ax or Pulaski with a handle at least 26 inches in length and a head weight of not less than two pounds.

  • Spark arresting devices must be installed and maintained on all internal combustion engines.

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