SCOFMP Increases Fire Danger to HIGH

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LAKEVIEW, Ore, – The fire danger level is being raised to “high” and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will increase to a level 2 starting Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. for all federal, state, county and private lands in Klamath and Lake counties protected by the agencies of the South-Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership. In addition, some fire restrictions are going in place. The public is encouraged to be aware of the current regulations before working or recreating on wildlands in Klamath and Lake counties. 

The fire danger level includes all private, county and state wildlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Klamath-Lake District. It also applies to the Fremont-Winema National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District, the Sheldon-Hart Mountain and Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complexes, and Crater Lake National Park. 

With the progression of hot and dry conditions and continued drying of forest fuels, the fire danger levels have reached “HIGH.” Fires starting in these conditions have the potential for rapid spread and major damage. Regulated Use Closure Restrictions will also take effect to help reduce the chance of an accidental fire start. 

Oregon Department of Forestry- Public Regulated Use Closure 

Under the Public Regulated Use Closure, the following activities are prohibited on all private, county and state wildlands in Klamath and Lake counties: 

  • Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads. 

  • Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, and charcoal, cooking and warming fires, except at designated locations. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed. 

  • Chainsaw use is prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Chainsaw use is allowed at all other hours if the following firefighting equipment is present with each operating saw: one ax, one shovel and one 8-ounce or larger fire extinguisher. A fire watch also is required at least one hour following the use of each saw. 

  • Use of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, is prohibited, except on improved roads and for vehicle use by a landowner and employees of the landowner conducting activities associated with their livelihood. Landowners and their employees conducting activities related to their livelihood shall carry a shovel and 2 ½ pound fire extinguisher when operating ATVs off improved roads. 

  • Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling in a motorized vehicle, except on state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2 ½ pounds or larger fire extinguisher, except for all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles, which must be equipped with an approved spark arrestor in good working condition. 

  • Use of all fireworks is prohibited. 

  • Cutting, grinding, and welding of metal are prohibited. For landowners and employees of the landowner on their land, while conducting activities associated with their livelihood, cutting, grinding, and welding of metal is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. At all other times, the area is to be cleared of flammable vegetation, and the following firefighting equipment is required: one ax, one shovel and one 2 ½ pounds or larger fire extinguisher in good working order. 

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

The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) is being raised to Level II on federal lands. Under IFPL II, the following may operate only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m.: 

  • Power saws except at loading sites 

  • Cable yarding 

  • Blasting 

  • Welding or cutting of metals 

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

For more information on IFPL restrictions, please visit www.scofmp.org. 

As a reminder the release of sky lanterns is prohibited at any time of the year. In addition, discharge of exploding targets and tracer ammunition is not permitted during fire season. 

On the BLM Lakeview District, Public Use Restrictions in the Klamath River Canyon remain in place. They went into effect June 16th for BLM-managed lands within a half-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. 

There are currently no Public Use Restrictions on the Fremont-Winema National Forest or Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District except for the Klamath River Canyon. As a reminder, it is the responsibility of the visitor to check for current campfire restrictions within the area they wish to visit. Always have water, a shovel, or a fire extinguisher with you. Never leave a campfire unattended and make sure the fire is dead out before leaving. If you suspect a wildfire, please report it to 911. 

For the latest fire information visit www.cascadefirewatch.com and follow Cascade Firewatch on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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