ODF Tightens Fire Restrictions in North Cascade Forests

Eleven fires have burned 420 acres in the district so far this year.

The hot, dry weather expected over the next several days has prompted the Oregon Department of Forestry to tighten fire safety restrictions in the North Cascade District, which provides wildfire protection to private and public forestlands in Clackamas, Marion, northern Linn and eastern Multnomah counties. Photo Courtesy: ODF

(SALEM, Ore. ) - The hot, dry weather expected over the next several days has prompted the Oregon Department of Forestry to tighten fire safety restrictions in the North Cascade District, which provides wildfire protection to private and public forestlands in Clackamas, Marion, northern Linn and eastern Multnomah counties.

On July 11 a "Regulated-Use" closure went into effect, aimed at reducing the chance of fires starting from public activities in the forest.

The Regulated-Use closure bans the following activities:

Smoking in the forest except in closed vehicles or buildings

Campfires outside of designated campgrounds

All open fires

Use of motorized vehicles except on improved roads

Use of fireworks

Use of chainsaws

Mowing of tall dead or cured grass is allowed, but only before 1:00 p.m. or after 8:00 p.m.

The Regulated-Use closure requires forest users to carry a shovel with a minimum of a 26-inch handle and an 8-inch blade, and either one gallon of water or a 2-1/2 lb., ABC-rated fire extinguisher.

The North Cascade District declared fire season on July 2. The public is reminded that state law prohibits the use of tracer ammunition, exploding targets and sky lanterns in the forest during fire season.

Eleven fires have burned 420 acres in the district so far this year. The 10-year average is 14 fires burning just 30 acres.

Across the 16 million acres of private and public lands protected by ODF statewide, about 8,200 acres have burned to date - considerably ahead of the 10-year average of just 1,048 acres.

Source: Oregon Department of Forestry

Tweet

Follow @OregonNews