July 3, 2019 3:30 a.m.
Fire season is now in effect on all Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands.
An ODF release said the announcement comes after the Northwest Oregon and North Cascade protection districts declared fire season on Monday. The Southwest Oregon District was the first to declare fire season on June 1st.
Tom Fields said ODF protects over 16 million acres of private, county, state and federal land. Fields said fire season is declared at the local district level, with restrictions intended to help prevent human-caused wildfires. He said declarations are based on the National Fire Danger Rating System as well as other local factors, such as weather and conditions on the ground.
Fields said for residents within ODF’s 12 fire protection districts, the arrival of fire season means the end of unregulated outdoor debris burning. Debris burning is generally permitted throughout the summer due to increased wildfire risk. Violators burning without a permit, will be cited and held liable for fire suppression costs.
Other public use restrictions are also in effect in several areas. Fields said the department encourages the public to stay informed about current restrictions by going to: https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx or by calling the local ODF or protective association office.
Forest operators are required to follow fire season requirements, including providing a water supply, fire tools, spark arresters on equipment, and fire watch. Similar to fire danger restrictions for the public, operators must follow rules under the four-tiered Industrial Fire Precaution Level system.