Due to lower temperatures and increased moisture, public use fire restrictions will end on the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management on Friday, October 18, at 12:01 a.m., and the fire danger rating will drop to “moderate.” The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) remains at an IFPL I.
Given the prolonged hot and dry conditions this summer and fall, vegetation still shows low moisture levels. When the fire danger is “moderate” it means that fires can start from most accidental causes, but the number of fire starts is usually pretty low. If a fire does start in an open, dry grassland, it will burn and spread quickly on windy days. Most wood fires will spread slowly to moderately. Average fire intensity will be moderate except in heavy concentrations of fuel, which may burn hot. People are urged to continue to practice fire prevention and safety measures including not parking or driving on dry vegetation, properly discarding smoking materials and fully extinguishing campfires.
The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) is currently at IFPL 1, which requires a one-hour fire watch after equipment is shut down for the day and onsite water and/or a fire extinguisher and tools to prevent the spread of any fire.
Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic devise or using an explosive is always prohibited on National Forest System lands in Central Oregon and currently prohibited on BLM-administered lands in Central Oregon.
Information on current restrictions or the current Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) can be obtained by contacting your Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737.
For official wildfire information, the public can visit centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.
