Umatilla National Forest

News Release

August 11, 2005		541-278-3722 Joani Bosworth Public Affairs Umatilla N.F.

541-278-3722 (Joani Bosworth, Public Affairs, Umatilla N.F.)
541-963-3168 (Angie Johnson, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Northeast Oregon)

PUBLIC-USE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON BOTH THE NE OREGON DISTRICT OF THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND THE UMATILLA NATIONAL FOREST

Local land managers want to remind everyone that public-use fire prevention restrictions are in effect. Both the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) NE Oregon District and the Umatilla National Forest have imposed restrictions due to extreme fire danger, continued hot and dry weather conditions, and concern for public safety. “Both agencies are coordinating their restrictions to promote consistency throughout the Blue Mountains and to help reduce public confusion,” said David King, Unit Forester for the Oregon Department of Forestry.

“The intent of both agencies is to prevent wildfires. Many of our restrictions are similar, and it makes sense for us to work cooperatively to educate and gain the cooperation of the people who work and recreate on these lands,” said King. “When both agencies have implemented restrictions at different levels, it can get a little confusing. Most people don’t realize when they’re leaving ODF protected lands and entering National Forest lands."

Restrictions prohibit the building and tending of open campfires, including charcoal briquettes, cooking fire and warming fires until further notice, except in fire pits at designated recreation sites (listed below). Permissible sources of heat include pressurized gas stoves and space-heating devices for those rare cool nights.

In addition to campfire restrictions, smoking is only allowed within enclosed vehicles, buildings, and developed recreation sites or when stopped in an area cleared of all flammable material. Operating an internal combustion engine, such as a chainsaw, is also prohibited on Umatilla National Forest lands.

Generators may only be used:

• in an area, at least 10 feet in diameter that are barren or cleared of all flammable material, that is located within a designated recreation site,

• when fully contained within a pickup truck bed that is devoid of all flammable material,when factory installed in a recreational vehicle (RV) and is located in the center of an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

Use of internal combustion engines on private lands requires approved spark arrestors and other appropriate fire prevention precautions.

Travel restrictions prohibit motor vehicles traveling off of developed and maintained Forest roads and trails on both public and private lands. Vehicles must still abide by all laws and regulations pertaining to the area of travel. Restrictions on logging and other industrial operations have also been placed in effect.

“The fact is we are experiencing another severe western wildland fire season,” said David King of the Oregon Department of Forestry. “We currently have several large fires burning in the northwest and our available firefighting resources are stretched thin. We need to minimize the potential for human-caused fires.”

Though lightning is the major cause of wildfires in the northwest, human-caused fires can be more difficult to control. “With new technology, we can predict lightning storms, plot lightning strikes and strategically place firefighting resources where needed. With human-caused fires, we have no forewarning. We cannot afford to have another large wildfire.”

At this time firewood cutting is prohibited on the Umatilla National Forest. Woodcutters should call the toll-free number daily (1-877-958-9663) for up-to-date information. When on private land, chainsaws cannot be used between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. A fire watch for one hour after the use of a chainsaw is required. All forest users should have an axe, shovel and an 8 oz. or higher capacity fire extinguisher. Also, burn barrel permits issued by Oregon Department of Forestry for private forest lands have been rescinded until further notice.

If visitors are unsure of which restrictions may apply, please contact any Umatilla National Forest or Oregon Department of Forestry Office. Specific regulations are available online at: www.fs.fed.us/r6/uma/fire/fireupdate.shtml and http://www.odf.state.or.us/areas/eastern/northeast/default.asp

PUBLIC USE & CAMPFIRE RESTRICTIONS

Campers are cautioned to be extremely careful when using fires ONLY in the following designated recreation sites on the Umatilla National Forest:

North Fork John Day Ranger District:

• Bear Wallow Campground
• Olive Lake Campground
• North Fork John Day Campground
• Frazier Campground
• Lane Creek Campground
• Toll Bridge Campground
• Winom Creek Campground
• Welch Creek Campground

Walla Walla Ranger District:

• Jubilee Lake Campground
• Woodland Campground
• Target Meadows Campground
• Mottet Campground
• Woodward Campground
• Approved Campfire Pits in the Spout Springs Summer Homes Tract

Heppner Ranger District:

• Bull Prairie Campground

Pomeroy Ranger District:

• Boundary Campground
• Panjab Campground
• Tucannon Campground
• Godman Campground
• Big Springs Campground
• Teal Campground
• Misery Springs Campground
• Wickiup Campground
• Spruce Springs Campground
• Alder Thicket Campground
• Lady Bug Campground
• Pataha Campground
• Panjab Trailhead
• Teepee Trailhead
• Meadow Creek Trailhead
• Clearwater Cabin Rentals
• Godman Cabin Rental
• Wenatchee Cabin Rental
• and Approved Campfire Pits at Summer Homes

For a printable copy (pdf file) of this news release, click here.

USDA Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest
Last Modified:  Monday, 29-Aug-2005 12:28:02 EDT