Fire Danger, Restrictions & Industrial Fire Precaution Levels

Report a Wildfire: Call 911, the John Day Interagency Dispatch Center line at (541) 575-1321, or the Burns Interagency Communciation Center line at (541)-573-1000.

Current Fire Conditions/Restrictions:  

Seasonal Restrictions are in place and at Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) I.

 

Current Forest Orders:

North: Blue Mountain & Prairie City Ranger Districts	South: Emigrant Creek Ranger District
Fire Danger: Low IFPL: I Public Use Restrictions: Seasonal	Fire Danger: Low IFPL: I Public Use Restrictions: Seasonal

 

Public Use Restriction Phases: 

PHASE A:  

Pursuant to 36 CFR, Sec. 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Malheur National Forest, in the State of Oregon.

1. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter and cleared of all flammable material. 36 CFR § 261.52(d).
2. Operating a chainsaw between the hours of 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 36 CFR § 261.52(h). Saw operators are required to have a shovel (8” wide, 26” length), and fire extinguisher (minimum ABC 8 oz.) in their possession. A one hour fire watch is required after saw operations cease.  
3. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order in accordance with U.S. Forest Service Standard 5100-1. 36 CFR § 261.52(j).
4. Possess or use a vehicle off National Forest System roads. 36 CFR § 261.56
   1. Except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.

PHASE B:  

Pursuant to 36 CFR, Sec. 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Malheur National Forest, in the State of Oregon. 

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal briquette or stove fire, except within a designated recreation site listed in Exhibit B (below). 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
3. Operating a chainsaw between the hours of 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(h). Saw operators are required to have a shovel (8” wide, 26” length), and fire extinguisher (minimum ABC 8 oz.) in their possession. A one-hour fire watch is required after saw operations cease.
4. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order in accordance with U.S. Forest Service Standard 5100-1. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(j). Generators are allowed when located in a location cleared of flammable material in an area at least 10 feet in diameter and approved spark arrestor.
5. Possess or use a vehicle off National Forest System roads.  36 C.F.R. § 261.56. Except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.

DESIGNATED RECREATION SITES (EXHIBIT B):

PHASE C:  

Pursuant to 36 CFR, Sec. 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands within the Malheur National Forest, in the State of Oregon.

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal briquette or stove fire. 36 CFR § 261.52(a). Fire fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels are allowed when flammable vegetation is cleared a minimum 3 feet away from open flame. 
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.  36 CFR § 261.52(d).
3. Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine. 36 CFR § 261.52(h).
   1. Generators are allowed when located in a location cleared of flammable material in a 10’ diameter and approved spark arrestor.
4. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order in accordance with U.S. Forest Service Standard 5100-1. 36 CFR § 261.52(j).
5. Possess or use a vehicle off National Forest System roads. 36 CFR § 261.56
   1. Except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.
6. Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. 36 CFR § 261.52(f).
7. Using an explosive. 36 CFR § 261.52(b).

 

Industrial Fire Precaution Levels Definitions

Level I:
Fire precaution requirements are in effect. A fire watch/security is required at this and all higher levels unless otherwise waived.

Level II Partial Hootowl:
The following may operate only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time:

• power saws except at loading sites;
• cable yarding;
• blasting;
• welding or cutting of metal.

Level III Partial Shutdown:
The following are prohibited except as indicated:

• Cable yarding – except that gravity operated logging systems employing nonmotorized carriages or approved motorized carriages may operate between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. when all block and moving lines, except for the line between the carriage and the chokers, are suspended ten feet above the ground;
• Power saws – except power saws may be used at loading sites and on tractor/skidder operations between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time.

Level IV General Shutdown:
All operations are prohibited.

 

  Fire Danger Level Definitions:

	LOW - When the fire danger is "low" it means that fuels do not ignite easily from small embers, but a more intense heat source, such as lightning, may start fires in duff or dry rotten wood.  Fires in open, dry grasslands may burn easily a few hours after a rain, but most wood fires will spread slowly, creeping or smoldering. Control of fires is generally not an issue.
	MODERATE - 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.  Fires are still not likely to become serious and are often easier to control.
	HIGH - When the fire danger is "high", fires can start easily from most causes and small fuels (such as grasses and needles) will ignite readily.  Unattended campfires and brush fires are likely to escape.  Fires will spread easily, with some areas of high-intensity burning on slopes or concentrated fuels.  Fires can become serious and difficult to control unless they are put out while they are still small.
	EXTREME - When the fire danger is "extreme", fires of all types start quickly and burn intensely.  All fires are potentially serious and can spread very quickly with intense burning.  Small fires become big fires much faster than at the "very high" level.  Spot fires are probable, with long-distance spotting likely.  These fires are very difficult to fight and may become very dangerous and often last for several days.