Shorter days, cooler temperatures and increasing humidity recovery are making it possible for the agencies of the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) to lift Public Use Restrictions in many areas, reduce the fire danger and lower the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) this Friday.

Public Use Restrictions will be lifted on the Fremont-Winema National Forest and the Sheldon-Hart Mountain and Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complexes. Restrictions will also be lifted on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District with the exception of the Klamath River Canyon.

Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Regulated Use Closures remain in effect.

The public is responsible for ensuring that they have reviewed and are aware of the restrictions in place for the landscape they plan to recreate or work on. The latest restrictions and regulations, including for ODF and the federal agencies, are available at https://scofmp.org/restrictions.shtml.

The Fire Danger is being lowered from “Extreme” to “High”. While days are getting shorter and humidity levels are increasing, fuels are still dry and caution should still be used to prevent wildfires.

The IFPL is being reduced from Level III to Level II (Partial Hootowl) on federal lands. Under IFPL II, the following may operate only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m.:

• Power saws except at loading sites
• Cable yarding
• Blasting
• Welding or cutting of metals

Oregon Department of Forestry

www.oregon.gov/odf

BLM Lakeview District

www.blm.gov/office/lakeview-district-office

Fremont-Winema National Forest

www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema

Sheldon-Hart Mountain & Klamath Basin

National Wildlife Refuge Complexes

www.fws.gov/refuge/Hart_Mountain

www.facebook.com/KlamathBasinRefuges/

Media Contacts:

David Duncan

Cell: 541-

david.duncan@usda.gov

Tamara Schmidt

Cell: 541-891-6758

tamara.schmidt@usda.gov

Personal and commercial woodcutters are reminded of their responsibility to stay informed of current IFPLs and all restrictions that apply to activities conducted on public lands. Failure to comply with precautionary fire requirements may result in the issuance of a Violation Notice.

“We know the public is eager to get back to normal fall activities, like woodcutting and hunting camps,” said Interagency Deputy Fire Management Officer Coley Neider. “Conditions are improving enough to allow chainsaw use and campfires, but the forest and desert are still dry. We are asking everyone to be careful to not start a wildfire.”

If you have a campfire or are using a portable stove:

Use metal fire rings or grills where available. Wood placed on a fire should never exceed the size of the grill or fire ring.

• If building a fire on the ground (in areas where permitted), select a location away from adjoining or overhanging flammable material, and ensure the ground beneath and around the fire is clear of all flammable materials.
• On windy days avoid building fires if possible.
• If you have a campfire, make sure it is fully extinguished before leaving the area. Douse fires with water and dirt, then stir with a shovel until it is completely cold to the touch.
• If you are using a portable stove, make sure the area is clear of grasses and other fine fuels.
• Prevent stoves from tipping and starting a fire.

For those working, recreating or traveling through area wildlands:

• Never throw cigarettes out the window of a vehicle. Instead, use ashtrays to prevent wildfires.
• Practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out cigarette butts and burned materials.
• Ensure chainsaws and other equipment, including generators, are maintained and have an approved spark arrester in good condition.
• Make sure off-road vehicles have a properly functioning catalytic converter or approved spark arrester.
• Never park a vehicle over dead grass and avoid driving through tall grass – your vehicle can ignite the fuels and start a fire.
• Ensure tires are properly inflated – tire rims on roads can throw sparks and start fires.
• If towing a boat or trailer, ensure safety chains are properly secured and not dragging.
• Discharging fireworks or use of incendiary ammunition or exploding targets is illegal.

“Fire season is continuing in Klamath and Lake counties and while the risk is reduced, current conditions can still carry wildfire quickly,” said Randall Baley, ODF Protection Unit Forester in Klamath Falls.

“There is a need to remain vigilant over the coming weeks while conditions continue to gradually improve on public and private wildlands.”

Suspected wildfires should be reported to 911 as soon as possible.

South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership provides comprehensive wildland fire services to more than eight million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District; Fremont-Winema National Forest; Oregon Department of Forestry Klamath-Lake District; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Klamath Basin and Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complexes; and Crater Lake National Park. The area encompasses federal, state, and private lands within south central Oregon and northwest Nevada.