DFPA Public Fire Restrictions Drop to Low Friday; Industrial Level Drops to 1

Fire restrictions will ease across lands protected by the Douglas Forest Protective Association at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, following decreased fire danger and expected precipitation.

The public use restriction level will drop to low on private, county, state, and Bureau of Indian Affairs lands within the Douglas District. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will also drop to Level 1 within the Douglas Forest Protection District, including lands managed by the Roseburg District Bureau of Land Management.

The changes allow several outdoor activities throughout the day. Non-industrial power saw use; metal cutting, grinding, and welding; mowing or trimming dried grass; and use of power-driven machinery for non-industrial work on private property will no longer be limited to certain hours.

Debris burning remains prohibited, including the use of debris piles and burn barrels. Fire season is still in effect, and DFPA urges people to use caution when operating equipment outdoors.

Motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, may travel on improved roads free of flammable vegetation with landowner permission. The restriction does not apply to cultivating or harvesting agricultural crops.

Passenger vehicles traveling on forestland, other than on state highways, county roads, or driveways, must carry an axe, a shovel, and either one gallon of water or an ABC fire extinguisher weighing at least 2½ pounds. ATVs must carry an ABC fire extinguisher weighing at least 2½ pounds.

For industrial operations, Level 1 requires the use of fire and power-driven machinery to comply with applicable state fire prevention requirements. The change applies to regulated use areas DG-1, DG-2, UA-1, and UA-2, as well as forestland within one-eighth mile of those areas.

More information is available at dfpa.net or by calling DFPA at 541-672-6507.