Umatilla National and Wallowa-Whitman Forests Return to Phase APublic Use Restrictions
Release Date: Aug 28, 2014
PENDLETON and BAKER CITY, OREGON – Milder weather conditions have prompted forest officials to reduce the level of Public Use Restrictions (PURS) to Phase A on the Wallowa-Whitman and Umatilla National Forests effective Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 0001 am (PDT). The reduced restrictions come just in time for the Labor Day weekend and the beginning of archery season. The Malheur National Forest will remain in Phase B until conditions warrant change to their PUR level.
“We are reducing the public use restrictions but not lifting them completely,” said Brian Goff, Fire Staff Officer on the Umatilla National Forest. “The potential for wildfire still exists despite recent rains and cooler temperatures,” added Goff.
The public’s cooperation and awareness of the existing fire danger is essential and prevention of human caused fires is key as the fire season continues and resources remain limited. “Hunters, firewood cutters, recreationists, and other forest users can all help us to ensure that the remainder of the fire season brings no more large fires,” shared Bret Ruby, Fire Staff Officer on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.
Phase A is the second level of PURs, generally implemented when the fire danger is moderate to high. Public Use Restrictions are phased in and out collectively, as conditions warrant, and may differ from Forest to Forest.
Phase A includes the Seasonal Campfire Restrictions but does not apply to designated Wilderness areas and specified exempted developed recreation sites (see Forest websites for exempted sites or areas). The activities that fall under the seasonal campfire restrictions include:
1. Campfires allowed only in fire pits surrounded by dirt, rock, or commercial rings and in areas not conducive to rapid fire spread, at a minimum clear of flammable material within a radius of 5 feet from the edge of the pit and free of overhanging material. Use existing pits wherever possible.
a. Campfires must be attended at all times, and completely extinguished prior to leaving.
b. Persons with campfires are required to have an axe, shovel, and one gallon of water in their possession (except in specified developed recreation sites listed in the Forest Order).
c. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled gas and wood burning stoves equipped with a chimney that is at least five (5) feet in length with a spark-arresting screen consisting of ¼ inch mesh hardware cloth are allowed.
d. Use of charcoal briquettes is permitted within the clearing requirements outlined under #1 above.
In addition, following are the other restrictions that apply under Phase A of the PURs:
· Chainsaws may be operated only between the hours of 8:00 pm and 1:00 pm local time. A one-hour fire watch is required after saw operations cease. Saw operators are required to have an axe (minimum 2 lb head, 26” length), shovel (8” wide, 26” length), and fire extinguisher (minimum ABC 8 oz) in their possession.
· Smokingis allowed only in enclosed vehicles and buildings, developed recreation sites, or cleared areas.
· No motorized vehicle travel off National Forest System roads or National Forest System trails, except for the purposes of going to and from campsites when such campsites are located within 300 feet of an open National Forest System road. No motorized vehicle trails on any National Forest System road or segment where access is blocked or impeded by a gate, barricade, log, boulder, or earthen berm.
· The use of exploding targets is prohibited.
As a reminder, there are also site-specific year-round public use regulations in effect, see the Forest websites for further information.
Regulated closures are in effect on State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast and central Oregon. Specific information on ODF’s restrictions is available on the web at: http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/. Similar restrictions are in effect on State and private lands protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA-DNR). More information can be found on the WA-DNR website at: http://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/firedanger/BurnRisk.aspx.
The public is responsible for knowing if restrictions are in place and can obtain information through many avenues:
· Visit the Forest’s websites at:
· www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman
· Call the Forest’s offices or District offices at:
· Wallowa-Whitman National Forest: 541-523-1246 or 541-523-1302
o Whitman Ranger District: 541-523-6391 or 541074207511
o La Grande Ranger District: 541-963-7186
o Wallowa Mountains Office: 541-426-5546
· Umatilla National Forest: 541-278-3716
o Heppner Ranger District: 541-676-9187
o North Fork John Day Ranger District: 541-427-3231
o Pomeroy Ranger District: 509-843-1891
o Walla Walla Ranger District: 509-522-6290
· Call the Forest’s 24-Hour Information Hotlines:
· Wallowa-Whitman National Forest:
o Baker City: 541-523-1234
o La Grande: 541-962-8679
o Joseph: 541-426-5552
· Umatilla National Forest: 877-958-9663
###