Fire Danger Rises to Moderate Thursday Across Jackson, Josephine Counties
New limits on campfires, chainsaws, mowing and other spark-producing activities take effect as temperatures approach 100 degrees and vegetation continues to dry.
MEDFORD, Ore. — Fire danger across Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties will increase to moderate Thursday as rising temperatures accelerate the drying of vegetation throughout the region.
The change takes effect at 12:01 a.m. June 11 and applies to approximately 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management forestlands protected by the ODF Southwest Oregon District.
The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at Level 1.
ODF officials said the region’s recent stretch of cooler weather provided only temporary relief. Vegetation has continued to dry, and temperatures climbing toward 100 degrees later this week are expected to increase wildfire risk.
The move from low to moderate fire danger brings additional restrictions on activities that can generate sparks or heat capable of starting a wildfire.
New restrictions beginning Thursday
Open fires will be prohibited outside designated campgrounds. The restriction includes campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires.
Portable cooking stoves and firepits using liquefied or bottled fuels will remain allowed in areas cleared of flammable vegetation.
Chainsaw use will be prohibited between 1 and 8 p.m. Outside those hours, operators must have one shovel and an eight-ounce or larger fire extinguisher at the work site. A one-hour fire watch is required after chainsaw use ends.
Cutting, grinding and welding metal will also be prohibited between 1 and 8 p.m. Outside the restricted period, those activities are allowed only in cleared areas with either a charged garden hose or a 2½-pound or larger fire extinguisher available.
Mowing dead or dried grass with power-driven equipment will be prohibited between 1 and 8 p.m. The restriction does not apply to green lawns or equipment used in the commercial cultivation and harvesting of agricultural crops.
Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, will be allowed only on improved roads free of flammable vegetation.
People traveling away from state highways, county roads and driveways must carry one shovel and either one gallon of water or a 2½-pound or larger fire extinguisher.
Motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles must carry a 2½-pound or larger fire extinguisher.
Other spark-emitting internal combustion engines not specifically addressed by the restrictions may not be used between 1 and 8 p.m. Outside those hours, the equipment may be used only in cleared areas with a charged garden hose or 2½-pound or larger fire extinguisher available.
An ODF Southwest Oregon District firefighter works through heavy smoke while suppressing the Agate Road Grass Fire on June 6. Rising temperatures and continued drying are prompting tighter fire restrictions across southwest Oregon. Photo courtesy of ODF Southwest Oregon District.
Existing restrictions remain in effect
Debris burning remains prohibited, including the burning of piles and materials inside burn barrels.
Fireworks are prohibited on or within one-eighth of a mile of ODF-protected lands.
Exploding targets, tracer ammunition and bullets containing pyrotechnic charges are also prohibited.
Smoking while traveling is allowed only inside enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water or at specifically designated locations.
Electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or certified by the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. Controllers must also be installed and operated according to fire-safe instructions.
ODF officials said following fire-season regulations reduces the likelihood of human-caused wildfires as vegetation continues to dry.
The South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership lists fire danger at moderate across its protection area, with fire season in effect, no public-use restrictions and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level at Level 1 as of June 4. Graphic courtesy of SCOFMP.
Regional fire conditions
The Thursday change applies specifically to lands protected by the ODF Southwest Oregon District in Jackson and Josephine counties.
Elsewhere in the region, the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership already lists fire danger as moderate across its protection area, which includes portions of Klamath and Lake counties.
According to SCOFMP’s current-conditions dashboard, fire season has been in effect since May 28. As of its June 4 update, no public-use restrictions were in effect, while the Industrial Fire Precaution Level remained at Level 1.
National Interagency Fire Center preparedness levels also remained relatively low Tuesday. The national preparedness level was listed at Level 2, while the Northwest Geographic Area remained at Level 1.
Those preparedness levels measure wildfire activity, resource demand and the readiness of firefighting agencies. They do not establish the local public-use restrictions or fire-danger ratings imposed by individual protection districts.
NIFC’s June outlook calls for significant fire potential to increase across the Northwest during June as fuels dry and seasonal conditions progress.
Additional information about Southwest Oregon fire-season restrictions is available at swofire.com.
The ODF Medford Unit can be reached at 541-664-3328, and the Grants Pass Unit can be reached at 541-474-3152.
Readers can also follow changing conditions, wildfire maps and evacuation information through HWD Firewatch and monitor regional weather through the Weather Camera Network.
Cover image: An Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District engine works the Agate Road Grass Fire on June 6. The incident is one of several early-season reminders of how quickly dry vegetation can ignite as fire danger increases across Jackson and Josephine counties. Photo courtesy of ODF Southwest Oregon District.
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