August 18, 2010
11:00 a.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST OREGON MEDIA
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
5286 Table Rock Rd
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Ashley Du Brey
ODF released this news bulletin
Wednesday morning following Tuesday evening's thunderstorms:
August 18, 2010 - 11:00 a.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - SOUTHWEST OREGON MEDIA
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
5286 Table Rock Rd - Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Ashley Du Brey
Ten Fires Found In Lightning Bust
Medford, OR- August, 2010- Yesterday 800 lightning
strikes were recorded that resulted in 10 fires on Oregon Department
of Forestry-protected lands. Engines, helicopters, a dozer and
hand crew responded to the lightning activity.
A little over 13 acres were burned due to the
lightning bust; however, 11.3 of those acres were from the Anderson
Creek Fire, six miles southwest of Talent. The fire is now 100%
mopped-up and lined around the perimeter. The remaining fires
were all less than .50 acre in size.
Today, reconnaissance flights will be made to
detect new fires and all lookouts are staffed. To report a fire,
call 9-1-1.
To get fire updates visit our Twitter page at,
www.twitter.com/swofire or our blog site at http://swofire.blogspot.com.
###
August 17th, 2010 - from the Ashland
Daily Tidings, Ashland, OR.:
Severe
thunderstorm warning issued for parts of Jackson County
The following is an exerpt:
"Lightning sparked a number of small grass
fires across the valley. U.S. Forest Service crews hustled to
various spots to douse the fires.
"Sandberg counted at least 10 down strikes
by 4 p.m."
For the complete article, see the online archives
of the Ashland Daily Tidings, at:
http://www.dailytidings.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100817/NEWS/8170317
August 10th, 2010 - from the Siskiyou
Daily News, Yreka, CA.:
Fire
restrictions in place on the Klamath through November
The following is an exerpt:
"Effective immediately, the Klamath National
Forest has applied special fire restrictions on the national forest
because of the risk of large fires due to very dry conditions
in the forest, a press release announced Tuesday."
"The fire prevention measures will continue
through Nov. 1, or until the high fire danger subsides, Klamath
National Forest Supervisor Patricia Grantham announced in a news
release."
For the complete article,
see the online archives of the Siskiyou
Daily News, at:
http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/news/x905702239/Fire-restrictions-in-place-on-the-Klamath-through-November.
On August 4th, the ODF released an addition
to the August 3rd bulletin:
August 4, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
5286 Table Rock RD - Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Rick Dryer, Grants Pass Unit Forester, (541) 474-3152
FIRE RESTRICTIONS INCREASE IN WILD AND SCENIC SECTION
OF ROGUE RIVER
Starting tomorrow, Aug. 5, all open fires, including charcoal
fires, will not be allowed in the Wild and Scenic section of the
Rogue River between Grave Creek and Marial. Only portable cooking
stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used on sand or
gravel bars that lie between water and high water marks. These
areas must be naturally free of vegetation.
This stretch of river is protected by the Oregon Department of
Forestry’s Grants Pass Unit. The fire danger level will
be “extreme” (red) on state, private, county and Bureau
of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties starting
at 1:00 a.m. Thursday.
In addition, the following fire prevention measures remain in
effect in the ODF-protected portion of the Wild and Scenic section
of the Rogue River:
· Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in boats
on the water, and on sand or gravel bars that lie between water
and high water marks that are free of vegetation.
· A shovel and a one-gallon or larger bucket are required
of all travelers.
· Fireworks are prohibited
For further information about fire restrictions in all parts
of the Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River, contact the
Smullin Visitor Center located at the Rand National Historic Site
at (541) 479-3735 or your local Rogue River-Siskiyou National
Forest office.
Information about fire season restrictions on ODF-protected lands
is available online at www.swofire.oregon.gov, and at the ODF
Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr.; (541) 474-3152.
###
Brian Ballou - Fire Prevention Specialist
Oregon Department of Forestry - Southwest Oregon District
August 3, 2010 [Tuesday]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
5286 Table Rock RD - Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Greg Alexander, Medford Unit Forester, (541) 664-3328
Rick Dryer, Grants Pass Unit Forester, (541) 474-3152
FIRE PREVENTION RESTRICTIONS TIGHTEN ON THURSDAY
The fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon
Department of Forestry rises to “extreme” on Thursday.
This affects state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management
lands in Jackson and Josephine counties that are protected by
ODF’s Southwest Oregon District.
The Industrial Fire Precaution Level remains at level
2 (two).
Starting Thursday, mowing of dead or dry grass
with power-driven equipment will not be allowed between 10:00
a.m. and 8:00 p.m. This restriction does not include the mowing
of green lawns, or when equipment is used for the commercial culture
and harvest of agricultural crops.
Chain saws may not be used between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Chain
saw users must have an ax, a shovel and an 8-oz or larger fire
extinguisher at the work site, and a fire watch is required for
one hour after the saw is shut down.
Any other equipment using an internal combustion engine may not
be used in wildland areas between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. This
includes, but is not limited to, generators, firewood splitters
and chippers. During other hours, this equipment should be used
only in a cleared area, and have a water supply and shovel close
at hand.
The cutting, grinding or welding of metal will not be allowed
between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The work site must be cleared
of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials, and a
water supply is required at the job site.
Below is a summary of other fire restrictions that have
been in effect since July 15 and will remain in effect:
• Campfires are allowed only in designated campgrounds.
Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed in
other locations.
• Motorized vehicles are allowed only on improved roads.
• Smoking while traveling is allowed only in vehicles on
improved roads.
• All debris burning, including debris burned in burn barrels,
is prohibited.
• Fireworks use on forestlands is prohibited.
• Electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally
recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories
Inc., or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business
Services, and be installed and used in compliance with the fence
controller’s instructions for firesafe operation.
Information about fire season restrictions on ODF-protected lands
is available online at www.swofire.oregon.gov,
and at ODF Southwest Oregon District unit offices:
• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd.; (541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr.; (541) 474-3152
###
Brian Ballou
Fire Prevention Specialist
Oregon Department of Forestry
Southwest Oregon District
July 28, 2010 [WED.]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
5286 Table Rock RD, Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Ashley Du Brey, (541) 664-3328
Medford
Airtanker Base Aerial Firefighting Open House
This Saturday, the Medford Airtanker Base is hosting an aerial
firefighting open house. The event is free to the public and
will remain open from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Oregon Department of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service will
provide an airtanker, planes and helicopters for public viewing.
This is a fun way for adults and children to learn what different
resources are used during the fire season that help firefighters
put out wildfire. Pictures will be available for those who would
like a keepsake from the event.
“This is a great way for the community to see the fire-fighting
resources used during the fire season,” said Dan Thorpe,
ODF district forester. “Aerial firefighting is not something
all residents are aware of, and this will be a fun way for them
to learn more about what we do.”
The event will be held at the Medford Airtanker Base, located
at 600 Nebula Way in Medford. The Airtanker Base is sited at
north of the Jackson County International Airport grounds.
The open house will be subject to cancellation due to fire.
If you have any questions please call (541) 664-3328, or visit
www.swofire.oregon.gov.
[ODF Information source:] Brian Ballou - Fire Prevention
Specialist
Oregon Department of Forestry - Southwest Oregon District
On Monday July 26th, 3 PM, the Oregon Dept. of Forestry
issued the following bulletin:
July 26, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
5286 Table Rock RD - Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Greg Alexander, Medford Unit Forester, (541) 664-3328
Rick Dryer, Grants Pass Unit Forester, (541) 474-3152
INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTION LEVEL RISES ON ODF-PROTECTED
LANDS IN JACKSON AND JOSEPHINE COUNTIES
Increased fire danger on forestlands protected by the Oregon
Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District has made
it necessary to increase the fire prevention measures on industrial
operations, such as logging sites and other commercial operations.
Industrial Fire Precaution Level II (two) takes effect
at 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 28, and includes the following
restrictions:
• The use of fire in any form will be prohibited
• The use of power saws will be prohibited, except at loading
sites, between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• The use of cable yarders will be prohibited between 1:00
p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• Blasting will be prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00
p.m.
• Welding or cutting of metal will be prohibited between
1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Additionally, commercial operators on forestlands are required
to have fire suppression equipment on site and provide watchman
service.
These regulations affect all state, county, private and Bureau
of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s
fire season regulations, contact the unit office in your area:
• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. Phone:
(541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Drive, Grants Pass. Phone:
(541) 474-3152
Southwest Oregon District fire precaution level information is
also posted on the World Wide Web at www.swofire.oregon.gov.
Brian Ballou
Fire Prevention Specialist
Oregon Department of Forestry
Southwest Oregon District
ODF's Southwest Oregon District information on
fire danger can also be directly viewed at: http://www.swofire.oregon.gov/.
On Tues. July 13th, at 11:00 AM, the Oregon Dept. of Forestry
issued the following bulletin:
July 13, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
5286 Table Rock RD - Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Greg Alexander, Medford Unit Forester, (541) 664-3328
Rick Dryer, Grants Pass Unit Forester, (541) 474-3152
FIRE DANGER LEVEL CLIMBS TO HIGH THURSDAY
The fire danger level on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected
lands in Jackson and Josephine counties will up a notch on July
15. The fire danger level will be raised to High (yellow) at 1:00
a.m. Thursday, and affects 1.8 million acres of state, private,
county, city and Bureau of Land Management lands protected by
ODF’s Southwest Oregon District. The Industrial Fire Precaution
Level will remain at level 1 (one).
Restrictions currently in effect, and which will remain
in effect, include:
• All debris burning, including debris burned in burn barrels,
are prohibited.
• Fireworks use on forestlands is prohibited.
These additional fire prevention restrictions go into effect July
15:
• Campfires will be allowed only in designated campgrounds.
Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels will be allowed
in other locations.
• Motorized vehicles will be allowed only on improved roads.
• Chain saws may not be used between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00
p.m. During other hours, chain saw users must have an ax, a shovel
and an 8-oz or larger fire extinguisher at the job site, and a
fire watch is required for one hour after the saw is shut down.
• Mowing of dead or dry grass with power-driven equipment
will not be allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. This restriction
does not include mowing of green lawns, or when equipment is used
for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.
• Cutting, grinding or welding metal will not be allowed
between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. These activities will be allowed
during other hours provided the work site is cleared of potentially
flammable vegetation and other materials, and a water supply is
at the job site.
• Smoking while traveling will be allowed only in vehicles
on improved roads.
• Electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally
recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories
Inc., or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business
Services, and be installed and used in compliance with the fence
controller’s instructions for fire safe operation.
In the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River between Grave
Creek and Marial, the following fire prevention restrictions are
currently in effect will remain in effect:
• Smoking will be prohibited while traveling, except in
boats on the water, and on sand or gravel bars that lie between
water and high water marks that are free of vegetation.
• A shovel and a one-gallon or larger bucket are required
of all travelers.
• Fireworks are prohibited
Beginning July 15, the following additional restrictions
take effect in the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River
between Grave Creek and Marial:
• Open fires will be prohibited, including campfires, cooking
fires and warming fires. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied
or bottled fuels, and charcoal fires for cooking and built in
raised fire pans, will allowed on sand or gravel bars that lie
between water and high water marks which are free of vegetation.
Ashes must be hauled out.
For further information about fire restrictions in all parts
of the Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River, contact the
Smullin Visitor Center located at the Rand National Historic Site
at (541) 479-3735 or your local Rogue River-Siskiyou National
Forest office.
Information about fire season restrictions on ODF-protected lands
is available online at www.swofire.oregon.gov
and at ODF Southwest Oregon District unit offices:
• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd.; (541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr.; (541) 474-3152
###
ODF's Southwest Oregon District information on fire danger can
also be directly viewed at: http://www.swofire.oregon.gov/.
The Oregon Department of Forestry issued a bulletin
announcing that the 2010 fire season would start on July 1st:
June 25, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHWEST OREGON NEWS MEDIA
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
SOUTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT
5286 Table Rock RD
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Greg Alexander, Medford Unit Forester, (541) 664-3328
Rick Dryer, Grants Pass Unit Forester, (541) 474-3152
FIRE SEASON BEGINS JULY 1 ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS IN JACKSON AND
JOSEPHINE COUNTIES
Fire season on forestlands protected by the Oregon Department
of Forestry’s (ODF) Southwest District begins July 1. The
fire danger level is currently “low” (green) but will
move to “moderate” (blue) next Thursday. The Industrial
Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be 1 (one). This announcement
affects state, private, county and Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties.
Fire season is determined by the state forester when vegetation
becomes dry and fires become harder to control. In 2009, the district
declared fire season on June 19 and it ended Oct. 14.
Fire season restrictions that will go into effect on
July 1 are as follows:
• Debris burning will be prohibited.
• The use of fireworks on forestlands will be prohibited.
In the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River between
Grave creek and Marial:
• Camp fires must be in fire pans or on a fire blanket
that is placed on sand or gravel bars between the river and the
high water mark, and only in areas which are naturally free of
flammable vegetation.
• Smoking will be permitted on sand and gravel bars between
the river and the high water mark, and only in areas naturally
free of flammable vegetation, or in boats and rafts while on the
river.
• Fireworks are prohibited.
• Travelers must carry a shovel and a minimum of a one-gallon
bucket.
Commercial operations, such as timber harvesting conducted on
forestlands, will be required to have fire suppression equipment
on the job site at all times. A watchman must also be provided.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s
fire season regulations, please contact:
Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. (541) 664-3328
Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants Pass. (541) 474-3152
-Or-
www.swofire.oregon.gov
###
