Notice of La Pine Fire District Board of Directors MeetingThe Board of Directors of the La Pine Rural Fire Protection District will hold a Regular Board Meeting on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at the fire station located at 51550 Huntington Road, La Pine. Requests for public comment must be made in writing by US Mail or by emailing admin@lapinefire.com and must be received by 3 p.m. the day prior to the meeting.  The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities, and you may click here on the Meeting Link to view the meeting live from your computer. Complete agendas or request for interpreter for the hearing impaired or for the accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting through the district administrative office at 51590 Huntington Road, La Pine. 

Department of Forestry Regulated Closure Proclamation

Effective 12:01 a.m., PDT, June 16, 2025
By virtue of the authority vested in me under the provisions of ORS 477.535 to 477.550, I hereby proclaim a Regulated Closure to be in effect in the following subject area:
All lands protected by the Central Oregon Forest Protection District, and all forestland within one-eighth mile thereof.
Under this Regulated Closure it is unlawful to be in violation of the following restrictions:
•Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads.
•Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except in designated areas. The use of portable appliances such as camp stoves and fire pits using liquified or bottled fuels are allowed in clear areas free of flammable vegetation. The following is required where open fires and appliances are allowed; one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2 ½ pound fire extinguisher.
•Chainsaw use is prohibited, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Chainsaw use is permitted at all other hours, if the following firefighting equipment is present with each operating saw: one axe, one shovel, and one operational 8 ounce or larger fire extinguisher. In addition, a fire watch is required at least one hour following the use of each saw.
•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 fire equipment is required: one axe, one shovel, and one operational 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher in good working order.
•Use of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, is prohibited, except on improved roads and except for vehicle use by a landowner and employees of the landowner upon their own land while conducting activities associated with their livelihood.
•Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling in a motorized vehicle, except on federal and state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one operational 2½ pound or
larger fire extinguisher, except all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles which must be equipped with an approved spark arrestor in good working condition.
•Mowing of dried grass with power driven equipment is prohibited, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., except for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops. The use of battery or electric powered string trimmers are exempt from this requirement.
•Use of fireworks is prohibited.
•Blasting is prohibited.
•Any electric fence controller in use shall be: 1) Listed be a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and 2) Operated in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Aside from these restrictions, also prohibited throughout fire season is backyard debris burning, the use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition.
The State Forester or an authorized representative may, in writing, approve a modification or waiver of these requirements.
These restrictions shall remain in effect until replaced, suspended, or terminated by an additional proclamation of the State Forester or an authorized representative.
Maps of the subject area may be viewed at the State Forester’s Office, in Salem, Oregon, and at principal offices of the Forest Protection District.
Definitions of words and phrases used in this proclamation may be found in ORS 477.001, OAR 629-041-0005.
Rob Pentzer, District Forester
Central Oregon District
Oregon Department of Forestry

Debris Burning Season is Now Closed

May 31, 2025

La Pine Fire District has officially closed debris burning for the season. Warming fires are still allowed as long as they in a designated pit/fireplace; do not exceed 3 feet in height and 2 feet in width; and are at least 25 feet from buildings and property lines and 15 feet away from tree branches. Burn permits are required for warming fires and can be downloaded free from our website or found in a metal box outside each of our stations front doors. Thank you to all of our community members for helping us make this a safe fire season.

La Pine Burn Line: 541-536-9056

Partner Organizations:
541-383-5300 – Deschutes National Forest
541-416-6500 – Ochoco National Forest/Crooked River Grasslands
541-416-6700 – Bureau of Land Management
541-447-5658 – Oregon Department of Forestry Prineville Unit
541-549-2731 – Oregon Department of Forestry Sisters Sub-Unit

BLM Implements Campfire Closures in La Pine Area

April 29, 2025

PRINEVILLE, Ore. — To enhance public safety and reduce the risk of wildfires, the Bureau of Land Management is prohibiting campfires on BLM-administered lands in the La Pine area from May 1 – October 31. This decision is part of an effort to reduce human-caused wildfires that have threatened lives, property, and essential utility infrastructure that have increased over the past several seasons. During recent years, the La Pine area has experienced devastating fires, including one that damaged restoration efforts from a previous wildfire. Escaped campfires are a significant contributor to these wildfires.
Campfires, charcoal fires, and any type of open flame will be prohibited on BLM lands in the La Pine area. Properly commercially manufactured portable propane campfires, metal camp stoves used for cooking, and shielded lanterns fueled by bottled propane or liquid fuel are the only exceptions. All cooking stoves, portable propane campfires, or lanterns must meet UL/CSA safety standards.
These restrictions will apply to BLM-administered lands within the following boundaries: South Century Drive on the north, the Fremont-Winema National Forest boundary on the south, and the Deschutes National Forest on the east and west. “Public use restrictions are one tool that we use to address repeated human-caused wildfires, particularly when we can identify one specific cause like escaped campfires,” said Lisa Clark, Deschutes Field Manager. The BLM urges all visitors to respect these restrictions to help protect the natural landscape and ensure the safety of everyone who enjoys the beauty of the La Pine area. For further information, please contact the BLM Central Oregon Field Office or visit the BLM website at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional