The warming and drying conditions that are forecasted to return to the Umpqua Basin has prompted the Douglas Forest Protective Association to increase the fire danger to Moderate effective Tuesday, September 21st at 12:01AM. The increase in fire danger applies to all 1.6 million acres of land protected by DFPA. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at IFPL II (two). Under DFPA’s Public Use Restrictions, a moderate fire danger rating changes the shutdown times for several non-industrial activities. During moderate fire danger, the following activities are prohibited between the hours of 1:00 PM and 8:00 PM:
• The cutting, trimming, or mowing of dried or cured grass. This restriction does not apply to the mowing
of green lawns. The use of battery or electric string trimmers and the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops is exempt from this restriction.
• The cutting, grinding, or welding of metal for non-industrial purposes.
• The use of power saws for non-industrial purposes.
• Any non-industrial improvement or development taking place on private property that utilizes power driven machinery not specifically mentioned in the Public Use Restrictions.
The following fire prevention measures listed under DFPA’s Public Use Restrictions remain in effect and are unchanged:
• Backyard debris burning, including the use of burn barrels, is prohibited.
• Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires, and warming fires, except at designated sites. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed elsewhere.
• Smoking is prohibited in wildland areas except in vehicles, in boats on the water, or at other designated locations.
• The use of fireworks is prohibited.
• Motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, are only allowed on improved roads free of flammable vegetation, except for those used for the culture and harvest of agricultural crops. In addition, each vehicle traveling on forest roads must have an axe, a shovel, AND one gallon of water or one operational 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.
• Any electric fence controller in use shall be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services and be operated in compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
In addition to DFPA’s Public Use Restrictions, state law prohibits the use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition during a declared fire season and the use sky lanterns is prohibited year-round in Oregon. Additional fire restrictions or closures may be in place through private industrial landowners or public land management agencies on the lands they own or manage. For a detailed list of all fire restrictions that are currently in effect, visit www.dfpa.net or call DFPA’s information line at 541-672-0379.