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Public Use Restrictions FAQs
What are Public Use Restrictions?
When fuel moistures and weather conditions create increased wildfire potential in Central Oregon, public fire restrictions will be put in place on federal public lands, like the BLM and Forest Service managed lands. These fire restrictions help reduce the chance of a human-caused wildfire starts.
In Central Oregon human-caused fire starts lead to 60% of wildfires on public lands. When these starts can be reduced, or eliminated, we protect the forests, our communities, and our local economies for the future.
We want you to know these restrictions are always carefully considered and are based on data before being implemented. Though we understand the joy of sitting around a campfire with hot dogs and marshmallows, we hope everyone wants to enjoy and protect the forest for future camping adventures, rather than being the reason the forest and the adventures are gone. Also, depending on the level of fire restriction, you may be able to use a propane stove or portable campfire to make those marshmallows toasty.
Restrictions can affect where you are allowed to smoke, the types of roads you can travel, and where – or even if – you are allowed to have a campfire. So always KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
Current Restrictions
June 1, 2024 | Annual BLM River Corridors Fire Restrictions Campfires are prohibited along portions of the Crooked, Deschutes, John Day and White rivers, as well as on BLM-administered lands along Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus. These restrictions prohibit campfires, charcoal fires, or any other type of open flame. This includes a ban on the use of portable propane campfires and wood pellet burning devices. MORE INFO
July 1, 2024 | Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions Due to increasingly hot and dry conditions as well as increased fire starts, the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management will move into Stage 1 public use fire restrictions on Monday, July 1.
Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, July 1, Stage 1 public use fire restrictions prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires, on Central Oregon public lands, except within the Deschutes National Forest Wilderness areas (Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Three Sisters, Diamond Peak and Mt. Thielsen Wildernesses) and in the following designated areas:
Ochoco National Forest
Lookout Mountain Ranger District: Antelope Flat Reservoir, Ochoco Divide Campground, Ochoco Forest Campground, Walton Lake Campground and Wildcat Campground
Paulina Ranger District: Cottonwood Pit,Deep Creek Campground, Sugar Creek Campground, Wolf Creek Campground,
Crooked River National Grassland
Haystack Reservoir Campground and Skull Hollow Campground
Deschutes National Forest
Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District: Big River Campground, Big River Group Camp, Bull Bend Campground, Chief Paulina Horse Camp, Cinder Hill Campground, Crane Prairie Campground, Cultus Lake Campground, East Lake Campground, Elk Lake Campground, Fall River Campground, Fall River Guard Station, Gull Point Campground, Lava Lake Campground, Little Crater Campground, Little Cultus Lake Campground, Little Fawn Campground & Group Camp, Little Lava Lake Campground, Mallard Marsh Campground, McKay Crossing Campground, Newberry Group Camp, North Twin Lake Campground, Ogden Group Camp, Paulina Lake Campground, Point Campground, Prairie Campground, Quinn Meadow Horse Camp, Quinn River Campground, Rock Creek Campground, Sheep Bridge Campground, South Campground, South Twin Campground, Wyeth Campground, West South Twin Campground
Crescent Ranger District: Contorta Flat Campground, Contorta Point Group Camp, Crescent Lake Campground, Odell Lake Resort and Campground, Princess Creek Campground, Shelter Cove Resort and Campground, Simax Group Camp, Spring Campground, Sunset Cove Campground, Trapper Creek Campground, Whitefish Horse Camp, Windy Group Site
Sisters Ranger District: Allen Springs Campground, Allingham Campground, Blue Bay Campground, Camp Sherman Campground, Candle Creek Campground, Cold Springs Campground, Driftwood Campground, Gorge Campground, Graham Corral Horse Camp, Indian Ford Campground, Jack Creek Campground, Lava Camp Lake Campground, Link Creek Campground, Lower Bridge Campground, Lower Canyon Creek Campground, Perry South Campground, Pine Rest Campground, Pioneer Ford Campground, Riverside Campground, Scout Lake Campground, Sheep Springs Horse Camp, Smiling River Campground, South Shore Campground, Three Creek Meadow Campground & Horse Camp, Three Creek Lake Campground, Whispering Pines Horse Camp
Prineville District BLM
Castle Rock Campground, Chimney Rock Campground, Cobble Rock Campground, Lone Pine Campground, Palisades Campground, Poison Butte Campground, Post Pile Campground, Still Water Campground
Additionally, under Stage 1 public use fire restrictions, smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. Traveling off developed roads and trails also is not allowed, except for the purpose of going to and from a campsite located within 300 feet of the open developed road. It is prohibited to possess or use a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads except when operating in compliance with travel management rules and the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).
Liquid and pressurized gas stoves, lanterns and fire pits with an on and off switch are allowed outside of designated campgrounds. The exception to this is BLM-designated campgrounds along portions of the Crooked, Deschutes, John Day, and White Rivers, as well as on BLM-administered lands along Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus. These public use restrictions do not replace the annual river corridor restrictions which were implemented June 1, 2024. These restrictions prohibit campfires, charcoal fires, or any other type of open flame. This includes a ban on the use of portable propane campfires and wood pellet burning devices. Commercially manufactured lanterns and metal camp stoves used for cooking are allowed, when fueled with bottled propane or liquid fuel and operated in a responsible manner.
Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device 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 current wildland fire information, the public can visit centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.
Central Oregon Forest Service & BLM Fire Restrictions
How can Public Use Restrictions affect travel?
On unmaintained dirt roads, often called “two-track” roads, the grass and brush that may grow down the center can dry out and be an extreme fire risk.
Vehicles traveling along these roads can pick up this vegetation under their vehicles where it can quickly ignite.
Travel restrictions limit access to these types of roads. The public will still have access to maintained dirt roads or paved roads, and people will still have access to their private property.
Can I have a campfire?
- Check the map above to see if the place you’re heading allows campfires
- Or call 1-800-523-4737 for more information
If a campfire is allowed where you’re planning to go, remember –
- Campfires should be contained within a campfire ring and the surrounding area should be clear of combustible material at least 15 feet from the campfire ring.
- Always bring a shovel and make sure you have plenty of water on hand to fully extinguish your fire.
Drown. Stir. Feel.
Make sure your campfire is dead out whenever it’s left unattended. Dead out means you can place your hand on top of where the campfire was located, and it is cool to the touch.
Fireworks are always illegal on Forest Service lands in Central Oregon!
Fireworks restrictions vary from city to city throughout central Oregon, but they are ALWAYS illegal on Forest Service lands. Remember: possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device on public lands is against the law.
Do your part to prevent a spark!
- Never park or drive on dry vegetation. On unmaintained dirt roads, often called “two-track” roads, the grass and brush that may grow down the center can dry out and be an extreme fire risk. Vehicles traveling along these roads can pick up this vegetation under their vehicles where it can quickly ignite.
- Secure trailer chains. Loose chains can drag on pavement creating sparks that can ignite vegetation.
- Properly discard smoking materials. Never toss them from a vehicle or on the ground where vegetation can ignite.
- Sparks arrestors are required for OHVs, chainsaws and other motorized equipment.
Central Oregon Fire Information
Visit centraloregonfire.org for information about current fire information, fire restrictions & smoke updates.
Forest Orders
- Pacific Northwest Region Explosives and Exploding Targets Prohibition Order (Effective June 22, 2022, #06-00-00-22-01)
- Describes the prohibition of fireworks and explosives on National Forest System lands administered by the Pacific Northwest Region.
- This Order shall become effective for a period of three (3) years from the date signed unless rescinded.
- Temporary Campfire Prohitbition (Effective June 1, 2024, Order #06-01-01-24-02)
- Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, including a charcoal fire in area described in order and shown in map incorporated into this order as Exhibit A
- This Order is effective June 1, 2024, through November 30, 3024, or until rescinded.
- Temporary Public Use Fire Restrictions (Effective July 1, 2024, Order #06-01-24-02)
- Prohibitions apply to all lands throughout the entirety of the Deschutes National Forest, except the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Thielsen, Mt. Washington, and Diamond Peak Wilderness areas. The Closure Area is shown in Exhibit B.
- Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, including a charcoal fire.
- Prohibits smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated campground or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
- Prohibits possessing, discharging, or using other pyrotechnic device.
- Prohibits using an explosive.
- Prohibits operating equipment powered by an internal combustion engine (refer to IFPL level for status on times engine use is prohibited).
- Prohibits operating or using an external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order in accordance with the U.S. Forest Service Standards 5100-1.
- Prohibits welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
- Prohibits violating any state law concerning burning, fires, or which is for the purpose of preventing or restricting the spread of fire.
- Prohibits possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System Roads and Trails. Except when operating in compliance with travel management regulation depicted on the USFS Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).
- Exhibit A shows a list of designated developed campgrounds where campfires are allowed in established fire rings.
- This Order becomes effective on July 1, 2024, and will remain in effect through November 30, 2024, unless rescinded sooner.