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Fire season starts Friday on private, state lands (complete article from source)
Source: KTVZ.com
May 30, 2007
River-corridor restrictions also taking effect
Lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry, Prineville/Sisters and John Day Units, will go into fire season at noon Friday.
This includes private and non-federal lands in Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Gilliam, Harney, Jefferson, Morrow, and Wheeler counties, officials said Wednesday.
What this means to the landowner/resident:
- Burning permits are required on all private and state forestlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry within Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Gilliam, Harney, Jefferson, Morrow, and Wheeler counties. The Oregon Department of Forestry will generally not issue permits within rural fire districts where burn bans are in effect.
- Fire tools, water supply and a watchman service are required on commercial forest operations occurring on private lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. Information on industrial fire prevention requirements may be obtained from your local Oregon Department of Forestry office.
If you did burn any yard debris or slash last fall or this spring, please check your piles for residual heat.
Backyard and other debris burn piles can hold fire for weeks and even months; they may appear to be out however landowners should check the piles for heat. If a holdover fire escapes, the responsible party could be held liable for firefighting costs. Remember... you must have a permit if burning is allowed in your area.
- Campfires on private forestlands are allowed with landowner permission only.
To date, the district has had 10 fires this season, burning almost 140 acres.
"The recent wind-driven Wilt Fire (near Sisters) was a clear sign of what could be in store for us in the upcoming fire season," said Travis Medema, Central Oregon District forester.
"While fire season holds many unknowns, we vigilantly prepare through historical data and predicted weather analysis, we train personnel, inform the public of the conditions and what they can do to help prevent wildfires, as well as work closely with cooperators to ensure we are ready for fire season."
Restrictions vary from private to public lands across Central Oregon, so please remember to call your local fire department or land management agency and find out what restrictions are in place before striking that match.
In addition, an annual closure order of public lands along river recreation corridors also goes into effect Friday.
As the weather begins its drying trend into the summer season, the grasses along the river corridors quickly dry out, particularly in the High Desert locations. This creates an increased threat for wild land fires to occur. Officials say the closure ordersare necessary for the protection of natural resources and the health and safety of the public.
Closure orders go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on June 1 and last through October 15 for all of the rivers indicated below-with the exception of the John Day River closure, which lasts through October 1.
The following fire closures will be in effect on public lands within Wild and Scenic River corridor boundaries and public lands in other areas as described below:
Lower Crooked River
Within ½ mile of the river's edge along the Lower Crooked River from the Highway 97 bridge to Lake Billy Chinook.
Deschutes River
Within ½ mile of the river's edge along the Middle Deschutes River from Highway 20 to
Lake Billy Chinook; within ½ mile of Lake Simustus (between Round Butte Dam and Pelton Dam); within the Lower Deschutes National Wild and Scenic River corridor (Pelton Dam to the Columbia River).
White River
Within ½ mile of the river's edge from its confluence with the Deschutes River upstream to the eastern boundary of the Mount Hood National Forest.
Lake Billy Chinook
Those public lands located within ½ mile of Lake Billy Chinook.
John Day River
On public lands within ¼ mile of the river's edge in the following locations:
The main stem John Day River, from Tumwater Falls (River Mile 10) upstream to Kimberly (river mile 185).
The North Fork John Day River, from the confluence with the main stem at Kimberly (River Mile 0) upstream to the Umatilla National Forest boundary (river mile 62).
The South Fork John Day River from Smokey Creek (river mile 6) upstream to the Malheur National Forest boundary (river mile 47).
PROHIBITED ACTS FOR ALL CLOSURE AREAS DESCRIBED ABOVE:
1. Building, igniting, maintaining, attending, using, or being within 20 feet of a campfire, charcoal fire, or any other type of open flame. This includes portable propane campfires and wood pellet burning devices. Exception: You may use commercially manufactured metal camp stoves and shielded lanterns when fueled with bottle propane or liquid fuel and operated in a responsible manner.
2. Smoking except while in non-public buildings, within a closed vehicle, or in a boat floating on the water or standing in the water.
Except in emergency conditions or permission by an agency-authorized officer, there are no exceptions to this closure. A violation of this closure is punishable by a fine of not more than $1000 or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both.
Click here for complete article from KTVZ.com
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