Fire Mangers increase Fire Danger to Moderate
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LAKEVIEW, Ore. - Due to the forecasted hot and dry conditions beginning Friday, June 30, 2023, at 12:01 a.m., the South Central Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) agencies will raise the Fire Danger Level to “MODERATE.”
With the progression of summer conditions and continued drying of forest fuels, local fire danger levels are expected to reach “MODERATE” by the weekend. Fires starting in these conditions have the potential to spread quickly on windy days.
“We would like to encourage the public to continue to use caution and avoid starting a wildfire this weekend and through the 4th of July,” said SCOFMP in a press release. “The use of fireworks is illegal year-round on National Forest Lands and currently illegal on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Illegal fireworks cost more than you think.”
“You can be held liable for suppression costs if your fireworks cause a wildfire,” added SCOFMP.
As a reminder, the official fire season declaration on June 16th put restrictions for debris burning and timber harvest operations into effect. Wildland and structural fire protection agencies in Klamath County have agreed to prohibit all outdoor debris burning. Forest operations that require a permit to operate power-driven machinery must have fire tools, an on-site water supply, and a watchman service on privately owned forested lands. The release of sky lanterns is prohibited at any time of the year. The discharge of exploding targets and the discharge of tracer ammunition is not permitted for the duration of the fire season.
Industrial Fire Precaution Level I (IFPL) will remain on public lands administered by the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District, and Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
As a reminder, under IFPL I, Closed Season - Fire precaution requirements are in effect. Unless otherwise waived, a Fire Watch is required at this and all higher levels.
A fire extinguisher and shovel must be with each chainsaw.
Fire extinguishers must be in all vehicles.
Chainsaws must have a .023-inch mesh screen installed in the exhaust.
Approved spark arresters must be on all internal combustion engines.
Watchmen service must be provided for 1 hour after the shutdown of power equipment for the day unless otherwise specified.
No smoking is permitted while working or traveling through any operations area on public land except in enclosed vehicles.
Permits to burn are required unless waived in advance.
Public Use Restrictions are in effect on all lands managed by the BLM in the Klamath River Canyon only. This includes areas within half a mile of the Klamath River from the Keno Dam downstream to the Oregon/California border. The full order can be found at www.blm.gov/orwafire.
For more information on restrictions, please visit: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx
For the latest fire information visit www.cascadefirewatch.com and follow Cascade Firewatch on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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