All ODF Districts Now in Fire Season Across Oregon

SALEM, Ore. — Fire season is now in effect across every Oregon Department of Forestry district, meaning residents and visitors should expect restrictions in many parts of the state as agencies work to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.

The final ODF district entered fire season on June 15, completing the statewide rollout. Fire season declarations are made locally when conditions become dry enough that fires are more likely to start and spread.

ODF officials say this summer is expected to be active, and they are urging Oregonians to take prevention seriously before conditions worsen.

“Looking at the current conditions and projections for the summer, ODF is prepared to have another busy fire season,” said Michael Curran, ODF’s Fire Protection Division chief. “Oregonians need to be practicing wildfire prevention and emergency preparedness now.”

Fire restrictions vary by area, so people are encouraged to check local rules before heading outdoors. In some places, campfires may be banned or limited to approved campgrounds. Backyard debris burning may also require a permit or be prohibited during fire season.

ODF is reminding people to fully extinguish campfires by drowning them with water, stirring the ashes, and repeating the process until the fire is cool to the touch. Anyone who burned debris earlier in the spring should also check burn piles again, as heat and dry conditions can cause old burn sites to rekindle.

Other common fire prevention steps include avoiding parking or idling vehicles over dry grass, making sure tow chains do not drag on the road, properly disposing of cigarettes, and checking fire danger levels before working or recreating outdoors.

Fireworks are also prohibited on forest lands, including private lands protected by ODF, as well as state and federal forest lands in Oregon. Local city and county restrictions may add additional limits.

Curran said prevention remains one of the most important ways to reduce the impact of wildfire season.

“Prevention is our number one tool to reduce property loss, firefighting costs, and risk to the lives of our firefighters,” Curran said. “We can’t prevent lightning fires, but we can prevent human-caused fires.”

ODF protects more than 16 million acres of private, county, state and federal land across Oregon. This year, the Central Oregon District was the first to enter fire season on May 8. The Northwest Oregon Area was the final district to declare fire season on June 15.

More wildfire prevention information is available through Keep Oregon Green.