ODF Fire Season Restrictions Begin in Central and Southern Oregon

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File Photo. July Complex Fire 2017, Modoc National Forest. (Brian Gailey)

File Photo. July Complex Fire 2017, Modoc National Forest. (Brian Gailey)

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SALEM, Ore. — Fire restrictions are, or soon will be, in effect on lands in southern and central Oregon that are protected by Oregon Department of Forestry districts and forest protective associations. 

Fire season goes into effect on Friday, June 8 in:

  • Coos Forest Protective Association – Curry, Coos and coastal Douglas County
  • Douglas Forest Protective Association – most of non-coastal Douglas County
  • Klamath-Lake District – Klamath County and western Lake County

Fire season is in effect since June 1 in:

  • Southwest Oregon District - covering all of Jackson and Josephine counties
  • Central Oregon District - covering Hood River and Grant counties and portions of Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Harney, Jefferson, Morrow, Wasco, Wheeler and northwestern Lake counties
  • Walker Range Forest Protective Association – northern Klamath County and part of northwest Lake County

Local conditions dictate when fire risk reaches the level that fire restrictions start to become warranted. You can check whether fire season is in effect in your area and what restrictions or closures may be in place by visiting ODF's external website.

Restrictions common to all lands now in fire season include a ban on backyard debris burning, and a prohibition on use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition. Sky lanterns are prohibited year-round in Oregon.

In announcing the start of fire season in Central Oregon, District Forester Mike Shaw said, "Across the district, spring has brought limited rainfall and right now we are seeing fuel conditions drier than they were at this time last year."

Southwest Oregon District Forester Dave Larson said, “The district’s hope is that going into fire season will help curb the number of human-caused fires, especially escaped debris burn piles.”

Although the numbers of acres burned so far this year has been modest, almost 150 wildfires have already been reported on land protected by ODF. Almost two thirds of the fires have occurred in districts and forest protective associations that will be in fire season by Friday.

Press release provided from the Oregon Department of Forestry.