Fire Season Begins Friday In Jackson And Josephine Counties

JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District will officially declare the start of fire season on Friday, May 15, at 12:01 a.m.

The declaration affects about 1.8 million acres of ODF-protected lands across Jackson and Josephine counties, including state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management forestlands. The fire danger level will begin at “Low,” shown as green, and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level will be IFPL I.

ODF officials said winter and spring rainfall are tracking slightly below a normal water year, while snowpack across the state and local area remains minimal. Drought conditions in both counties are also contributing to dry vegetation, increasing the risk that fires could start and spread earlier in the year.

As warmer, summer-like weather continues to develop, officials said fire risk and fire behavior will naturally increase.

With the start of fire season, the following restrictions will take effect:

• No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
• No fireworks on or within 1/8 of a mile of ODF-protected lands.
• Exploding targets, tracer ammunition and bullets with a pyrotechnic charge in the base are prohibited.
• Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds, on BLM land and on private land with the landowner’s permission.
• Where open fires and appliances are allowed, one shovel and one gallon of water, or one 2.5-pound fire extinguisher, are required.
• Portable appliances such as camp stoves and fire pits using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed anytime in cleared areas free of flammable vegetation.
• Charcoal and pellet barbecues or smokers are allowed at residential home sites that are fully developed, landscaped and maintained, when used in a cleared area free from flammable vegetation.
• Smoking while traveling is only allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and in specifically designated locations.
• Electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories, or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, and must be installed and used according to fire-safe operating instructions.

ODF defines a cleared area as an area free of flammable vegetation for 50 feet in all directions.

The start of fire season also brings regulations for industrial activities. Under IFPL I, fire season requirements are in effect. A firewatch is required at this level and all higher levels unless otherwise waived.

For more information about fire season regulations, residents can contact the ODF Southwest Oregon District’s Medford Unit at 541-664-3328 or the Grants Pass Unit at 541-474-3152.

Full details on fire season regulations are listed at: www.swofire.com

Douglas County Status

The Roseburg Receiver also reached out to the Douglas Forest Protective Association about the status of fire season in Douglas County.

DFPA said an official start date has not been finalized yet. The agency said it is monitoring current fuel conditions and how predicted precipitation develops this week.

DFPA said it does not recommend burning on warm or windy days, when fire danger can increase. If residents cannot safely burn piles, DFPA said they should consider covering them until after fire season and rainy weather returns to the district.