NW OREGON INCREASES FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

image courtesy orww.org

Continued warm, dry weather has prompted the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to increase fire safety restrictions in the Northwest Oregon Fire Protection District, and to caution recreationists to be careful with fire on and around state, private, and BLM forestlands.

ODF's Northwest Oregon Fire Protection District - which includes Clatsop County, Columbia County, Tillamook County, western Washington County and the northwest portion of Yamhill County bordered by Hwy 47 and Hwy 18 - will be implementing Regulated Use Closure safety requirements on Wednesday August 8 at 1:00 a.m.

Effective August 8, in areas of these counties under ODF fire protection:

1. Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles driving on improved roads.

2. Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at designated locations. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.

3. Chainsaw use is prohibited.

4. Use of motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all terrain vehicles, is prohibited, except on improved roads. Under current conditions, this restriction is waived for designated OHV trails in the Jordan Creek Basin, Rogers Basin, Trask Basin, Diamond Mill OHV Area, Nicolai Mountain OHV area, and in the BLM Nestucca Motorcycle Trail Area.

5. Possession of basic firefighting equipment - one shovel and one gallon of water or a 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher -- is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways.

6. Use of fireworks is prohibited.

7. Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited. 

8. Use of exploding targets is prohibited.

The State Forester or an authorized representative may, in writing, approve a modification or waiver of these requirements.

For additional information about fire conditions in NW Oregon, you can contact a local ODF office near you--

Forest Grove       503-357-2191

Astoria          503-325-7215

Tillamook     503-842-2545

Columbia City     503-397-2636

Current fire safety restriction information for areas under ODF protection is available on the web at: www.oregon.gov/odf/pages/fire/precautionlevel.aspx

At this time of year, fire conditions and public use regulations are subject to change on short notice. To obtain the most current information prior to going into the woods, contact the nearest Oregon Department of Forestry office. A list of the offices can be found at: www.oregon.gov/odf.