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Due to rising fire danger, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s West Oregon District has declared public fire restrictions beginning Friday, July 6. This is in addition to industrial restrictions already in effect.
Public use restrictions are based on activities most commonly associated with fire starts in the past. They include, but are not limited to:
• No open fires except at designated campgrounds
• No fireworks
• No mowing of dried grass between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Non-industrial chainsaw use requires a waiver from an ODF forester
• Smoking is not allowed while traveling except in closed vehicles on improved roads
ODF officials urge members of the public to be prepared and take precautions to prevent fires, such as carrying a shovel and either a fire extinguisher, or at least one gallon of water when traveling in the forest.
These restrictions apply to lands in Lincoln, Benton, Polk and parts of Yamhill County protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. For a complete list of restrictions that are in place at any given location, go online to ODF’s statewide fire restrictions and closures page at www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx. Questions may also be directed to local ODF offices.
