Regulated use means extreme care required – when fires are allowed

Scott Swanson

With an extended period of hot weather on the horizon, regulated use of state and national forestlands surrounding Sweet Home went into effect Friday, July 11, the Oregon Department of Forestry announced last week.

All forestlands protected by the South Cascade Forest Protection District and within one-eighth mile of district-protected forests are subject to regulated use, which will extend until the ODF announces that it has ceased – usually sometime in October after regular rains return.

Neil Miller, wildland supervisor for the Sweet Home ODF office, said this year’s regulated use period is actually starting about a week later than 2013, though fire season started July 1 both years.

“Fuel levels are coming down,” he said last week. “We’re seeing drying not only in the low country but in the high country as well.”

Later this week, local temperatures are predicted to sweep into the high 90s, and possibly triple digits, for up to seven days, combined with humidity that will likely create thunderstorm activity, Miller said.

Overall, the summer looks, well, “Ask me in December,” Miller said, half joking. “Based on what we’ve already seen during the pre-season, we can expect above-normal temperatures and average rainfall, which is not very much.”

Although the central and northern Willamette Valley has ended up escaping extreme drought conditions that prevail farther south and east this year, Miller said, it’s really going to depend on how fast things dry out and how much lightning there is.

“The main word for us is that we have been in fire season and now we’re in regulated use,” he said.

Though, generally, open burning is not permitted at all (see information box), waivers can be issued in special situations for public recreational needs, Miller said. An example might be a family reunion or some other event where a fire is desired.

“We can come out and check with the landowner or the family and issue a waiver for a fire for a couple of days,” he said.

So far, he said, the Sweet Home Unit hasn’t had a big problem with illegal burning, though it has issued several warnings.

Anyone who has questions is encouraged to call the ODF office at (541) 367-6108.

What does regulated use mean? Do’s and Dont’s

During regulated use, the following are prohibited in or within one-eighth of a mile of any forestlands protected by the South Cascade Forest Protection District:

– Smoking while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, and on sand or gravel bars that lie between water and high water marks that are free of vegetation.

– Open fires, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at designated locations. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.

– Chain saw use in areas subject to Industrial Fire Precaution Level III and IV. Chain saw use is prohibited between 1 and 8 p.m. in areas subject to Industrial Fire Precaution Level I and II. Chain saw use is permitted at all other hours, if the following fire fighting equipment is present with each operating saw: one axe, one shovel, and one operational 8 ounce or larger fire extinguisher. In addition, a fire watch is required at least one hour following the use of each saw.

– Mowing of dried and cured grass with power driven equipment between 1 and 8 p.m., except for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.

– Cutting, grinding and welding of metal between 1 and 8 p.m. Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is permitted at all other hours, if conducted in a cleared area and if a water supply is present.

– Use of motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all terrain vehicles except on improved roads or for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops

– All motor vehicles must be equipped with one gallon of water or one operational 2½-pound or larger fire extinguisher, one axe, and one shovel, except when traveling on state highways and county roads and all driveways. All-terrain vehicles and motorcycles must be equipped with one operational 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher, except when traveling on state highways and county roads.

– Use of fireworks, exploding targets, sky lanterns and tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base.

– Blasting is prohibited, between the hours of 1 and 8 p.m. Blasting is permitted at all other hours, if conducted in a cleared area and if a water supply is present.

– Restrictions may be modified or waived by the State Forester or an authorized representative.

Maps of the subject area may be viewed at the State Forester’s Office, in Salem, Oregon, and at principal offices of the Forest Protection District. For more information, visit http://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/closures/definitions.pdf

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