FIRE SEASON ENDS OCTOBER 9TH, 2023

The Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) will officially end the 2023 fire season on Monday, October 9th, 2023, at 12:01pm for lands under their protection and management. The end of fire season is a result of recent wetting rains and an overall cooling trend that has returned to the area.

With the end of the fire season, the public and industrial fire restrictions implemented through DFPA will no longer be in effect.

A list of fire restrictions and closures in place through private industrial landowners can be found online at https://ofic.com/private-forestland-closures/.

Backyard debris burning outside of incorporated cities will be allowed without a burn permit from DFPA, however, residents should contact their local fire department before conducting any type of debris burning as fire restrictions may vary between local fire districts. The only type of burning that requires a permit from DPFA outside of fire season is fore the burning of logging slash. Any type of commercial tree harvest that requires excess debris to be burned constitutes logging slash and therefore requires a burn permit. Permits to burn logging slash can be obtained by calling DFPA at (541) 672-6507.

Despite the fire season ending, fire officials advise residents to exercise caution when burning yard debris or using fire in the woods. Several days of sunshine and dry weather during the fall months can create a fire risk even if a week or more of cool, wet conditions precede them.

When burning yard debris, make sure to have an adequate fire trail around the pile before ignition begins and have fire tools and a water supply at the burn site. Debris piles should never be left unattended and should be fully extinguished before leaving the area. If a debris burn escapes containment, the responsible party may be held financially responsible for the resulting fire suppression costs and associated damages.

Those choosing to recreate in wildland areas are reminded that private industrial landowners and neighboring public land management agencies may still have fire restrictions or closures in place on lands they own or manage. Recreationists should check with the appropriate landowner or public land management agency for the location they plan to recreate, before heading to the woods.

RESOURCES FOR #TyeeRidgeComplex FIRE EVACUEES:

1. Red Cross Shelter – Oakland Elementary School: 499 NE Spruce Street, Oakland, OR
2. Animals – The following is a list of resources for animal sheltering:
   • Livestock and Large Animals may be sheltered at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Complex and Sutherlin Rodeo Grounds.
   • Companion Animals may be sheltered at Saving Grace Animal Shelter. Please coordinate with Douglas County Animal Control by calling (541) 662-9322.
3. Interactive Evacuation Map – An interactive map showing evacuation levels and areas can be found at http://www.dcso.com/evacuations.
4. Information about the Tyee Ridge Complex Fire can be found at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasForestProtectiveAssociation.
5. Sign up for emergency notifications through Douglas County Citizen Alert http://www.dcso.com/alerts.

FIRE DANGER LEVEL CHANGE TO EXTREME

Effective Saturday, August 12th, 2023 at 12:01 AM, the Fire Danger Level and Public Use Restriction Level will increase to EXTREME for all private, county, state, and Bureau of Indian Affairs land within the Douglas District. The Roseburg District BLM is included in the fire season declaration, which imposes certain fire restrictions on the public and industrial operators to help prevent wildfires and has specific Fire Prevention Orders or other public use restrictions on the BLM-administered lands.

For further information on BLM-managed lands please visit https://www.blm.gov/orwafire.

IFPL (Industrial Fire Precation Level) levels within the Douglas District will remain at IFPL LEVEL 3, in regulated use area (s) DG-1, DG-2, UA-1, UA-2, and all forestland within one-eighth mile thereof.

What does this mean to the public?

Non-industrial power saw usage, cutting, grinding, or welding of metal, cutting, trimming, or mowing of dried, cured grass, and power-driven machinery for non-industrial improvement or development on private property is now PROHIBITED.

NOTICE OF CHANGE OF BOARD MEETING DATE AND LOCATION

Douglas County Fire District No. 2 Board of Directors regularly scheduled board meetings are changing. Beginning July 2023, Board of Directors meetings will be held at 5:30 PM on the third Monday of each month at Winston-Dillard Fire District, 250 SE Main, Winston, Oregon.

FIRE DANGER LEVEL CHANGE TO HIGH

Effective Thursday, June 29th, 2023 at 12:01 AM, Public Restriction Levels will change to HIGH for all private, county, state and Bureau of Indian Affairs lands within the Douglas District. The Roseburg District BLM is included in the fire season declaration, which imposes certain fire restrictions on the public and industrial operators to help prevent wildfires and has specific Fire Prevention Orders or other public use restrictions on the BLM-administered lands.

For further information on BLM-managed lands, please visit https://www.blm.gov/orwafire.

IFPL (Industrial Fire Precaution Level) levels within the Douglas District will also change to IFPL LEVEL 2, in regulated use area (s) DG-1, DG-2, UA-1, UA-2 and all forestland within one-eighth mile thereof.

What does this change mean to the public?

Non-industrial power saw usage, cutting, grinding, or welding of metal, cutting, trimming or mowing of dried, cured grass, power-driven machinery for non-industrial improvement or development on private property will only be allowed BEFORE 10 AM or AFTER 8 PM.