Local, regional & ODF news releases
A chronological listing
2023 FIRE SEASON SUMMARY:
Fire Season began June 1st. The Fire Danger Level rose to Moderate on Fri., June 23rd. The fire danger level increased to High (yellow) on Sat., July 1st. The fire danger level increased to Extreme (Red) on Sat. July 29th. The fire danger level decreased to High (yellow) on Fri. Sept. 1st. The fire danger decreased again on Mon. Sept. 25th to Moderate (blue). On Wed. Sept. 27, the fire danger decreased again to LOW (GREEN). Finally, on Fri. October 13th, the ODF declared the end of the 2023 fire season, effective as of 9:00 am Fri. October 13th.
The fire season chronology follows, listing
items from latest (top) to earliest; pre-season news, if any, isbelow. NOTE: Not all regional fire news is included here. For more, see:
The CAL-FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection)
website at: http://www.fire.ca.gov/,
which has links to a listing of fire incidents.
Most recent:
The text of ODF's Fri. 10/13/23 news release announcing the end of fire season follows:
Oregon Department of Forestry - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Southwest Oregon District
5286 Table Rock Rd.
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Natalie Weber, Public Information Officer
[personal contact info withheld by request of ODF PIO]
Consistent Fall Weather Across the ODF Southwest Oregon District Brings an End to Fire Season
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (Oct. 13, 2023) – Following 134 days, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District has officially declared an end to the 2023 fire season in Jackson and Josephine Counties. Consistent rain across the district and new, green grass and vegetation growing in has allowed for all fire season regulations and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) to be lifted. This declaration takes effect Friday, October 13, 2023 at 9:00 a.m., and affects 1.8 million acres protected by ODF across Jackson and Josephine counties. At this time, industrial burning still remains prohibited.
The 2023 fire season on the Southwest Oregon District was not without its challenges; Firefighters on the district responded to 207 fires since the season began on June 1, 2023, for a total of 1,634 acres burned. The largest fire of the season, the lightning-caused Smith River Complex, originated in California and burned north into Oregon. While ODF firefighters weren’t able to respond during initial attack on this incident due to its location, the District was proactive with its federal partners at the U.S. Forest Service Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management as the fire began to burn toward the Oregon border. As a direct result, of the fire’s 85,429 acres, only 1,440 acres affected ODF-protected lands in Josephine County. This fire aside, ODF Southwest Oregon firefighters responded to 206 fires during initial attack and stopped them at a collective 194 acres burned. The second largest fire on the district, the Whiskey Creek Fire in Josephine County, was stopped at just 27 acres.
The largest fires of the season on the district are listed below:
Fire Name
Date
Location
Acres
Cause
Smith River Complex
(Originated in California)
Aug. 15
CA-OR border, Josephine County
85,429 Total
(1,440 ODF-protected)
Lightning
Whiskey Creek Fire
Aug. 24
Calvert Peak, Josephine County
27
Lightning
Monument Drive Fire
Aug. 20
6000-blk Monument Drive,
Grants Pass
20
Under Investigation
Timber Complex
(Lightning Complex,
Aug. 19
Jackson County
17.4
Lightning
Thunder Ranch Fire
Aug. 25
Josephine County
17
Lightning
Roxy Ann Fire
June 27
Roxy Ann Peak, Medford
14
Equipment Use
Holland Loop Fire
July 21
7500-blk Holland Loop Drive, Cave Junction
11.25
Equipment Use
Heppsie Mountain Fire
Aug. 20
Heppsie Mountain,
Jackson County
10.5
Lightning
ODF has an annual goal of putting out 98% of fires at 10 acres or less; with eight out of 207 fires hitting that mark, the district nearly reached its goal, coming in at 96%.
The termination of fire season removes fire prevention regulations on equipment use and the use of fire for debris burning. This applies to the public and industrial operations on forestlands; however, industrial slash burning is still prohibited. Many structural fire agencies require permits for residential debris burning, please check with your local fire department to obtain any necessary permits before burning and ensure it’s a burn day designated by the county you reside:
Jackson County Burn Line: (541) 776-7007
Josephine County Burn Line: (541) 476-9663
Even though the fire season is officially over, please continue to practice fire prevention when burning debris by ensuring a burn pile is never left un-attended and using caution when using machinery that could cause a spark. Please be aware that fires can still spread in fall and winter conditions. This region is extremely prone to wildfire, and for that reason, fire knows no season.
Fire prevention tips and information from the ODF Southwest Oregon District is available online at our Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest and our website, www.swofire.com.
Thank you,
Natalie Weber
Public Information Officer
Oregon Department of Forestry
Southwest Oregon District
The text of ODF's Wed. 9/27/23 news release announcing the decrease to LOW (GREEN) follows:
Oregon Department of Forestry - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Southwest Oregon District
5286 Table Rock Rd.
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Natalie Weber, Public Information Officer
[personal contact info withheld by request of ODF PIO]
Fire Danger Level Decreases to Low Across Jackson and Josephine Counties The change in restrictions will affect ODF Southwest Oregon District-protected lands
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (Sept. 27, 2023) – Due to widespread rain, the fire danger level on Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties will decrease to “low” (green) as of Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Please be aware that this level change means that some fire restrictions for the public will remain in effect. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at one.
These regulations impact 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management lands protected by ODF’s Southwest Oregon District.
In low fire danger, the following activities are prohibited:
No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
No fireworks on or within 1/8 of a mile of ODF-protected land.
Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.
Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds, and on private land with the landowner’s permission. Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used in areas clear of vegetation at any time.
Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations.
Any 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.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire season public restrictions, please call or visit the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest to you:
Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. (541) 664-3328
Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants Pass. (541) 474-3152
Fire season information is also available online at our Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest and our website, www.swofire.com.
Thank you,
Natalie Weber
Public Information Officer
Oregon Department of Forestry
Southwest Oregon District
The text of ODF's 9/25/23 news release announcing the decrease to MODERATE follows:
Oregon Department of Forestry - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Southwest Oregon District
5286 Table Rock Rd.
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Natalie Weber, Public Information Officer
[personal contact info withheld by request of ODF PIO]
Fire Danger Level Decreases to Moderate Due to Widespread Rain and Additional Forecasted Precipitation The change in restrictions will affect ODF Southwest Oregon District-protected lands
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (Sept. 25, 2023) – The fire danger level on Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties will decrease to “moderate” (blue), and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will decrease to Level I (one) as of Monday, September 25, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Please be aware that this level change means that some fire restrictions for the public will remain in effect.
These regulations impact 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management lands protected by ODF’s Southwest Oregon District.
During Moderate fire danger, the following public fire restrictions remain in effect:
No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
No fireworks on or within 1/8 of a mile of ODF-protected land.
Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.
Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations.
Open fires are prohibited, which includes campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at locations deemed a designated campground. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are still allowed in areas clear of vegetation;
Chainsaws may not be used between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate fire danger. During hours outside of this time frame, chainsaws 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 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate 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 water supply is at the job site;
The mowing of dead or dried grass with power-driven equipment is not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. This restriction does not include mowing of green lawns, or equipment used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops;
Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, will be allowed only on improved roads free of flammable vegetation. One shovel and one gallon of water, or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher, is required while traveling.
Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher. As noted above, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles must be equipped with one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.
Any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine use not specifically mentioned is not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate fire danger. Use of any spark-emitting internal combustion engine is allowed outside of this time frame only if the work site is cleared of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials and a water supply is at the job site;
Any 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.
Under Industrial Fire Precaution Level I (one), which pertains to industrial operations and is separate from public regulations, fire season requirements are in effect, in addition to the following:
A Firewatch is required at this and all higher levels unless otherwise waived.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire season public restrictions, please call or visit the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest to you:
Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. (541) 664-3328
Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants Pass. (541) 474-3152
Fire season information is also available online at our Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest and our website, www.swofire.com.
Thank you,
Natalie Weber
Public Information Officer
Oregon Department of Forestry
Southwest Oregon District
Due to recent weather, the ODF on Sept. 1st announced a decrease in the Fire Danger Level to HIGH (yellow).
The key change is that curfew hours on regulated equipment have been reduced: equipment can now be used until 10:00 am, and after 8:00 pm, daily. Other previous regulations remain in effect (as below).
The IFPL (Industrial) has been decreased to Level 2. (Details follow public regulations, below.)
The text of ODF's 9/1/23 news release announcing the decrease to HIGH follows:
Oregon Department of Forestry - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Southwest Oregon District
5286 Table Rock Rd.
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Natalie Weber, Public Information Officer
[personal contact info withheld by request of ODF PIO]
Fire Danger Level Decreases to High, IFPL 2 on ODF-Protected Lands in Jackson and Josephine Counties
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (Sept. 1, 2023) – As of 12:01 a.m., the fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District has decreased to “high” (yellow) and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) has decreased to Level 2 (two) on Friday, September 1, 2023. This affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties.
The primary difference between the former regulations and the new decrease to high fire danger affects the public use of power-driven equipment, such as chainsaws, mowers, weed eaters, and more. The use of power-driven equipment, grinding, cutting of metal, and other spark-emitting equipment, such as wood splitters and generators, will now be allowed until 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. daily. Power-driven equipment use on green lawns is never prohibited.
Other fire prevention regulations which will remain in effect, include:
No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels
No fireworks on or within 1/8th of a mile of ODF-protected land
Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited
Campfires are allowed only in designated campgrounds. Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used in other locations that are clear of dry vegetation
Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain, are allowed only on improved roads; one shovel and one gallon of water, or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher, is required while traveling
Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations
Chainsaws may not be used between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. during high fire danger. During hours outside of this time frame, chainsaws 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 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 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 water supply is at the job site
The mowing of dead or dried grass with power-driven equipment is not allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 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 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. during high fire danger. Use of any spark-emitting internal combustion engine is allowed outside of this time frame only if the work site is cleared of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials, and a water supply is at the job site
Any 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
Under Industrial Fire Precaution Level Two (IFPL II) – limited shutdown, which is specifically for industrial operations and is separate from all public fire restrictions, the following may operate after 8 p.m. and up until 1 p.m. daily:
Power saws, except at loading sites
Feller-bunchers with rotary head saws
Cable yarding
Blasting
Welding, cutting, or grinding of metal
In addition, pursuant to ORS 477.665 and OAR 629-043-0030, the fire watch requirement is a minimum of two hours during breaks and at the end of the operation period.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire season public restrictions, please call or visit the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest to you:
Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. (541) 664-3328
Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants Pass. (541) 474-3152
Fire season information is also available online at our Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest and our website, www.swofire.com.
Thank you,
Natalie Weber
Public Information Officer
Oregon Department of Forestry
Southwest Oregon District
The text of ODF's 7/28/23 news release announcing the increase of the fire danger level to EXTREME follows:
Oregon Department of Forestry - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Southwest Oregon District
5286 Table Rock Rd.
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Natalie Weber, Public Information Officer
[personal contact info withheld by request of ODF PIO]
Fire Danger Level, IFPL Increases in Jackson and Josephine Counties The change in restrictions will affect ODF Southwest Oregon District-protected lands
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (July 28, 2023) – Due to dry vegetation, hot conditions, and numerous active fires in the region, the fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Jackson and Josephine counties will increase to “extreme” (red) at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023, and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will increase to Level 3 (three). These regulations impact 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management lands protected by ODF’s Southwest Oregon District.
Beginning Saturday morning at 12:01 a.m., the following public fire restrictions will take effect:
The use of power saws is prohibited, excluding electric chainsaws.
The cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited.
The mowing of dry or dead grass is prohibited.
The operation of any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine not specifically mentioned above is prohibited.
The following fire prevention regulations are currently in effect and will remain in effect until the fire danger level drops significantly:
Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, and designated locations.
Debris burning, including the use of burn barrels, is prohibited.
Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except in approved fire rings at designated campgrounds. In other locations clear of vegetation, portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.
Fireworks on or within 1/8th of a mile of ODF-protected land are prohibited.
Any electric fence controller in use shall be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and operated in compliance with the manufacturer’s fire-safe instructions.
The use of exploding targets is prohibited.
The use of tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base is prohibited.
Motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, may only be used on improved roads free of flammable vegetation, except when used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.
Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher. All-terrain vehicles and motorcycles must be equipped with one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher.
Under IFPL III, the following are prohibited between 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.:
Power saws at loading sites;
Loading or hauling of any product or material;
Blasting;
Welding, cutting, or grinding of metal;
Any other spark emitting operation not specifically mentioned.
In addition, the following are permitted to operate overnight to the morning, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., where mechanized equipment capable of constructing fire line is immediately available to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start:
Ground-based operations (tractor/skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder, or shovel logging operations);
Power saws on ground-based operations;
Rotary head saw feller-bunchers with a continuous Firewatch;
Non-rotary head saw feller-bunchers;
Tethered logging - winch-assisted, cable-assisted, traction-assisted, etc. systems, which enable ground- based timber harvesting machines to operate on steep slopes.
This is considered a restricted shutdown and the following activities are not permitted at any time, except as noted:
Cable yarding systems, except that gravity operated logging systems using non-motorized carriages or approved motorized carriages may operate between 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., when all blocks and moving lines are suspended at least 10 feet above the ground (except the line between the carriage and the chokers).
In addition, pursuant to ORS 477.665 and OAR 629-043-0030, the fire watch requirement for this level is reduced from a minimum of three hours to a minimum of two hours during breaks and at the end of the operation period.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District’s fire season restrictions, visit our website, www.swofire.com or our Facebook page @ODF Southwest Oregon District.
Thank you,
Natalie Weber
Public Information Officer
Oregon Department of Forestry
Southwest Oregon District
[contact info withheld by ODF PIO request]
As per the Oregon Dept. of Forestry's 6/30 news release, the Fire Danger Level is HIGH (yellow) as of Saturday, July 1st.
Curfew hours for power equipment use start at 10:00 am daily until 8:00 pm.
The text of ODF's 6/30/23 news release follows:
Oregon Department of Forestry; FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Southwest Oregon District
5286 Table Rock Rd.
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Natalie Weber, Public Information Officer
[personal contact info withheld by request of ODF PIO]
Fire Danger Level Increases to High, IFPL 2 on ODF-Protected Lands in Jackson and Josephine Counties
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (June 30, 2023) – The fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District will increase to “high” (yellow) and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will increase to Level 2 (two) on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. This affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties.
The primary difference between current fire prevention restrictions and those beginning on Saturday affects the public use of power-driven equipment, such as chain saws, mowers, weed eaters, and more. The use of power-driven equipment, grinding, cutting of metal, and other spark-emitting equipment, such as wood splitters and generators, will be prohibited between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. This does not apply to mowing green lawns.
Other fire prevention regulations which will remain in effect, include:
No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels
No fireworks on or within 1/8th of a mile of ODF-protected land
Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited
Campfires are allowed only in designated campgrounds. Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used in other locations that are clear of dry vegetation
Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain, are allowed only on improved roads; one shovel and one gallon of water, or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher, is required while traveling
Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations
Chain saws may not be used between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 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 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 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 water supply is at the job site
The mowing of dead or dried grass with power-driven equipment is not allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 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 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. during high fire danger. Use of any spark-emitting internal combustion engine is allowed outside of this time frame only if the work site is cleared of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials, and a water supply is at the job site
Any 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
Under IFPL II (Two) – limited shutdown, which is entirely separate from all public fire restrictions, the following may operate after 8 p.m. and up until 1 p.m. daily:
Power saws, except at loading sites
Feller-bunchers with rotary head saws
Cable yarding
Blasting
Welding, cutting, or grinding of metal
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire season public restrictions, please call or visit the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest to you:
Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. (541) 664-3328
Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants Pass. (541) 474-3152
Fire season information is also available online at our Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest and our website, www.swofire.com.
Thank you,
Natalie Weber
Public Information Officer
Oregon Department of Forestry
Southwest Oregon District
[personal contact info withheld by request of ODF PIO]
The text of ODF's 6/23/23 news release announcing the increase to Moderate follows:
Oregon Department of Forestry - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Southwest Oregon District
5286 Table Rock Rd.
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Natalie Weber, Public Information Officer
(Information withheld as per ODF PIO request)
Due to High Temperatures and Dry Fuels, Fire Danger Level Increasing to Moderate on Friday
The change in restrictions will affect ODF Southwest Oregon District-protected lands
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (June 22, 2023) – The fire danger level on Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties will increase to “moderate” (blue) on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. Please be aware that this level change means that additional fire restrictions for the public will be in effect. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at Level I (one).
These regulations impact 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management lands protected by ODF’s Southwest Oregon District.
Beginning Friday at 12:01 a.m., the following public fire restrictions will take effect:
Open fires are prohibited, which includes campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at locations deemed a designated campground. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are still allowed in areas clear of vegetation;
Chainsaws may not be used between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate fire danger. During hours outside of this time frame, chainsaws 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 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate 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 water supply is at the job site;
The mowing of dead or dried grass with power-driven equipment is not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. This restriction does not include mowing of green lawns, or equipment used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops;
Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, will be allowed only on improved roads free of flammable vegetation. One shovel and one gallon of water, or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher, is required while traveling.
Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher. As noted above, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles must be equipped with one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.
Any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine use not specifically mentioned is not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate fire danger. Use of any spark-emitting internal combustion engine is allowed outside of this time frame only if the work site is cleared of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials and a water supply is at the job site;
Public fire restrictions currently in effect, which will remain 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 ODF-protected land.
Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.
Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations.
Any 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.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District’s fire season public restrictions, please call or visit the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest to you:
Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. (541) 664-3328
Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants Pass. (541) 474-3152
Fire season information is also available online at our Facebook page: @ODFSouthwest and our website: www.swofire.com.
Thank you,
Natalie Weber
Public Information Officer
Oregon Department of Forestry
Southwest Oregon District
Cell: (Information withheld as per ODF PIO request)
Online: www.swofire.com | Facebook: @ODFSouthwest | Twitter: @swofire
###
Posted Tues., 30 May 2023, updated Tues. 6/20/23:
We are in fire season. All open burning (debris, slash, burn barrels, etc.) is now prohibited.
The fire danger level is Low (green).
The text of ODF's 5/30/23 news release announcing the start of fire season is posted below.
ODF News Release - 5/30/23:
Oregon Department of Forestry - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Southwest Oregon District
5286 Table Rock Rd.
Central Point, OR 97502
Contact: Natalie Weber, Public Information Officer
[contact info withheld by ODF request]
Fire Season Begins June 1, 2023 in Jackson and Josephine Counties
This Declaration Affects 1.8 Million Acres of Oregon Department of
Forestry Southwest Oregon District-Protected Lands
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (May 30, 2023) – Fire Season on lands
protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Southwest Oregon
District begins Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. The fire danger
level will be “Low” (green) and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level
(IFPL) will be I (one). Lands affected by this declaration include 1.8
million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties.
Consistent rain and snow allowed for a fairly fire-free spring in
southern Oregon up until early May, when a rapid shift in weather
patterns took place and temperatures rose from forties and mid-fifties
to a range fluctuating between sixties and nineties. The hot weather in
combination with windy conditions prompted the spread of numerous
accidental human-caused fires. Thunderstorms later in the month also
contributed to fire starts, resulting in 14 fires, three caused by
lightning and 11 caused by humans.
Beginning Thursday, the burning of debris piles and the use of burn
barrels for burning debris will no longer be allowed in Jackson and
Josephine counties. Even with recent rains, landowners are encouraged to
check their previously burned piles from this spring and confirm that
they have been extinguished.
In low fire danger, the following activities are prohibited:
• No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
• No fireworks on or within 1/8 of a mile of ODF-protected land.
• Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a
pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.
• Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds, and on private land
with the landowner’s permission. Portable stoves using liquefied or
bottled fuels may be used in areas clear of vegetation at any time.
• Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on
improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated
locations.
• Any 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.
Under IFPL I (one) – fire season requirements are in effect. In addition
to the following:
• A Firewatch is required at this and all higher levels unless otherwise waived.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire
Season regulations, please call or visit the Southwest Oregon District
unit office nearest to you:
Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point – (541) 664-3328
Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants Pass – (541) 474-3152
Additional information about fire season is also available online on our
website, www.swofire.com, our Facebook page, @ODFSouthwest and our Twitter account, @swofire.
Thank you,
Natalie Weber
Public Information Officer
Oregon Department of Forestry
Southwest Oregon District
No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels