As Fire Season Moves Forward, Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve Issues Public Use Restrictions

Prevent forest and wild fire!

The Buckskin Fire (shown here 6/21/2015) burned 5,345 acres southwest of Cave Junction but has been contained. Photo: Buckskin-Fire Facebook page

(CAVE JUNCTION, Ore.) - The risk of wildfire is increasing across southwestern Oregon, due largely to the ongoing, persistent drought conditions, a lack of snowpack, and the unseasonably dry state of fuels such as grasses and small woody debris.

Any fires that may start have the potential to quickly become serious in size and complexity, and difficult to control. With these conditions and the associated risks, the potential for human-caused fires is high.

Effective 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2015, The Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve will impose public use restrictions that include limiting where open flames may occur, and areas where smoking or operating internal combustion engines is permissible.

There are NO campfires allowed in the Monument or Preserve as there are no constructed fire rings made of metal or concrete to contain a campfire.

The use of propane or liquid fuel-powered commercial stoves is permitted. Smoking is allowed only in vehicles, and designated paved areas at the Monument.