Public Use Restrictions
MEDIA RELEASE
Deschutes National Forest
63095 Deschutes Mkt. Rd., Bend, OR
http://www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes/
Ochoco National Forest
3160 N.E. 3rd St., Prineville, OR
http://www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco/
Prineville District BLM
3050 N.E. 3rd St., Prineville, OR
http://www.or.blm.gov/or/districts/prineville
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 18, 2024
Central Oregon Public Lands Move to Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions and IFPL III
ALL CAMPFIRES ARE BANNED ON PUBLIC LANDS IN CENTRAL OREGON
Central Oregon – Due to continued hot weather and extremely dry vegetation, the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will move into Stage 2 public use fire restrictions and Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) III on Monday, July 22.
- Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, July 22, Stage 2 public use fire restrictions prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires on all Central Oregon public lands including developed campgrounds and Wilderness areas.
- Additionally, under Stage 2 public use fire restrictions, smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. Traveling off developed roads and trails also is not allowed, except for the purpose of going to and from a campsite located within 300 feet of the open developed road. It is prohibited to possess or use a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads except when operating in compliance with travel management rules and the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). Generators are only allowed when fully contained in a truck or in an area cleared at least 10 feet in diameter of all flammable material.
- Liquid and pressurized gas stoves, lanterns and fire pits with an on and off switch are allowed. The exception to this is BLM-designated campgrounds along portions of the Crooked, Deschutes, John Day, and White Rivers, as well as on BLM-administered lands along Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus. These public use restrictions do not replace the annual river corridor restrictions which were implemented June 1, 2024. These restrictions prohibit campfires, charcoal fires, or any other type of open flame. This includes a ban on the use of portable propane campfires and wood pellet burning devices. Commercially manufactured lanterns and metal camp stoves used for cooking are allowed, when fueled with bottled propane or liquid fuel and operated in a responsible manner.
- Under IFPL III “Partial Shutdown” the following are prohibited except as indicated:
- Cable yarding – except gravity operated systems employing non-motorized carriages operating between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. when all blocks and moving lines are suspended 10 feet above the ground except the line between the carriage and the chokers.
- Power saws – except powers saws may be used at loading sites and on tractor/skidder operations between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time.
- In addition, the following are permitted to operate between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time (no operation between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.):
- Tractor, skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder or shovel logging operations where tractors, skidders, or other equipment with a blade capable of constructing fireline are immediately available to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start
- Mechanized loading or hauling of any product or material for blasting
- Blasting
- Welding or cutting of metal
- Any other spark emitting operation not specifically mentioned
- Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) are based on current and expected fire conditions. Fire precaution levels begin with Level I at the start of fire season and can increase to Level IV as the fire danger increases. It is the responsibility of the individual operating on public land to know the precaution level for the day and to take the correct fire precautions.
- Find more information about the Industrial Fire Precaution Level system here. Information on the IFPL or current restrictions can be obtained by contacting the Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737.
- Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic devise or using an explosive is always prohibited on National Forest System lands in Central Oregon and currently prohibited on BLM-administered lands in Central Oregon.
- The fire danger rating is currently EXTREME.
- The Fire Danger Rating System lets recreational users and visitors to public lands know to increase their level of caution while in the forests or rangelands.
- Under EXTREME conditions, fires of all types start quickly and burn intensely.
- All fires are potentially serious and can spread very quickly with intense burning.
Information on current restrictions or the current Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) can be obtained by contacting your Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737.
Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.
Crazy Creek Fire & Kitty Creek Fire Update – July 25, 2024, 10 a.m.
Central Oregon – Yesterday sustained winds increased fire behavior on the Crazy Creek Fire. The fire made a push to the northeast expanding to an estimated 10,257 acres. The fire is 0% contained. Yesterday crews established an anchor point on Forest Service Road (FSR) 100.
Today firefighters on the Crazy Creek Fire will work to strengthen control line along FSR 100. They will begin mop up operations along FSR 30 to secure this portion of line. Resources are also scouting for locations to construct line.
Yesterday evening, the Wheeler County Public Works Department shared the following update: “In collaboration with the US Forest Service, Crook County Sheriff’s Office and the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office the Crazy Creek Fire in the northeast portion of the Ochoco National Forest had unfavorable weather leading to an increased the size of this fire. Out of abundance of caution LEVEL 1 and LEVEL 3 evacuations are NOW in effect.
Wheeler County: Level 1 South of Highway 26 between Buck Point Road to Antone Lane. Level 3 a small portion to the west of Buck Point Road to the border of the Ochoco National Forest.
Crook County: Level 3 evacuations in the area of Big Prairie Summit east of the Grant County Line.”
For more information on evacuations from the Crook County Sheriff’s Office visit: crookcounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/minimalist/index.html?appid=3ddd30c1faeb455fb287dfa122d9ea5e¢er=-120.0083,44.1012&level=12. For evacuation information for Wheeler County visit: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557535570426.
The fire is being managed by a local Central Oregon Type 3 incident management team. There are approximately 100 personnel assigned to the Crazy Creek Fire including 2 handcrews, 11 engines, 3 water tenders, 6 skidgeon and 11 overhead resources.
Yesterday afternoon the Central Oregon Type 3 incident management team also took command of the Kitty Creek Fire burning approximately seven miles south of Mitchell. The Kitty Creek Fire also experienced growth during yesterday’s sustained winds. The fire is now estimated at 65 acres and is 0% contained. Crews have established line around the fire and will continue to strengthen lines today. They will secure any potential spots outside the perimeter and install a hose lay to provide water to support cooling down areas of heat.
The Ochoco National Forest has implemented a forest closure for the Paulina Ranger District. More information can be found at fs.usda.gov/ochoco.
Southwest Team 5 Complex Incident Management Team will in-brief tonight on the Crazy Creek and Kitty Creek Fires.
Firefighters construct control line around a fire to establish a barrier to keep it from spreading. Containment is based on their confidence that a portion of the fire is secure, and the fire will not move beyond the control line. Firefighters may have control line around the perimeter of a fire, but until they are able to decrease fire activity along the edge of the control line and cool down hotspots, they do not consider that portion of the fire contained.
Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.
Notice of La Pine Fire District Board of Directors Meeting
The Board of Directors of the La Pine Rural Fire Protection District will hold a Regular Board Meeting on Thursday, August 8, 2024 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 Zoom link for the meeting. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. 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.