Fire danger is high

Fire danger levels on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Western Lane District and South Cascade District will be increased to “high” (yellow) last Saturday, August 6th.

The escalation came on the heel of recent lightning strikes that caused numerous fires across the Cascades in portions of Lane, Douglas, Deschutes, and Klamath counties. With high temperatures and low relative humidity forecasted, the restrictions are designed to reduce the risk of human-caused fires.

The restrictions affect the public use of power-driven equipment, such as chain saws, mowers, weed eaters, motor vehicles used around fuels, and more.

Other fire prevention regulations that are in effect, include:

* No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels

* No fireworks on or within 1/8 of a mile of forestlands

* Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations

* Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited

* Campfires are allowed only in designated sites approved by the forester. Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used in other locations, with landowner approval

* Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, may not be used on un-improved roads or off-road between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. during high fire danger. The use of motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, is allowed at all times on improved roads free of flammable vegetation

* Chain saws may not be used between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. during high fire danger. During hours outside of this time frame, chain saws may be used but require that the operator have one shovel and one 8-oz or larger fire extinguisher at the work site. A fire watch is also required for one hour after each chainsaw use

* Cutting, grinding, and welding of metal is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. during high fire danger. These activities will be allowed during hours outside of this time frame only if the work site is cleared of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials, and a charged garden hose or one 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher is immediately available

The mowing of dead or dried grass with power-driven equipment is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. during high fire danger. This restriction does not include mowing of green lawns or equipment used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops

Any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine-use not specifically mentioned is not allowed between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.