Umpqua National Forest Moving to High Fire Danger, Stage 1 Restrictions Friday
Umpqua National Forest will move to high fire danger and Stage 1 Public Use Restrictions starting Friday, June 19, limiting campfires, smoking, chainsaw use, vehicle travel and other fire-risk activities.
Unseasonably hot and dry conditions are bringing tighter fire rules to the Umpqua National Forest heading into the weekend.
Forest officials will raise the fire danger level from low to high, and Public Use Restrictions, also known as PURs, will move to Stage 1 beginning at 12 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2026.
The restrictions are meant to reduce the chance of human-caused fires as fuels continue to dry out across the forest.
What Stage 1 Means
Under Stage 1 restrictions, several activities will be limited for people visiting or recreating on the Umpqua National Forest.
Campfires, charcoal fires, briquette fires, pellet fires and other open fires are prohibited outside of Forest Service-constructed fire rings in designated recreation areas. Campfires fueled by pressurized fuel or propane are still allowed. Campfires in wilderness areas are not prohibited under Stage 1.
Smoking is also restricted. It is only allowed inside an enclosed vehicle, inside a building, or in an area cleared of flammable material at least three feet in diameter.
Chainsaw use is limited during the day. Internal combustion engine chainsaws may not be used between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. A one-hour fire watch is required at all other times.
Motorized vehicles must stay on designated roads and trails. Driving off National Forest system roads is prohibited, except for parking in areas with no vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway or making minimal travel over bare mineral soil to access dispersed camping sites.
Welding and explosives are also prohibited.
Campfires Must Be Completely Out
Forest officials are reminding visitors that even fires inside approved Forest Service fire rings must be fully extinguished before leaving a campsite.
The Forest Service recommends drowning the fire, stirring it, and feeling it with the back of your hand. If the fire is not cold to the touch, it is not out.
More Information
Visitors are encouraged to check current restrictions before heading into the forest.
More information is available from the Umpqua National Forest Public Use Restrictions page:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umpqua/fire/info/public-use-restrictions-purs
Current Umpqua National Forest alerts can also be found here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/umpqua/alerts
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