June 1, 2020 3:25 a.m.
As fire danger increases across southwestern Oregon, visitors to national forest lands from Gold Beach to the Glide area, are required to limit potential ignition sources like campfires.
A release from the Forest Service said the agency is facing an above normal fire year, drought conditions and a pandemic all at the same time. Kathy Westenskow-Davis, Forest Supervisor for the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest said by limiting ignition sources, residents are doing their part to protect communities, and firefighters from preventable smoke, fire, and exposure.
Fire restrictions on the Rogue River-Siskiyou and Umpqua Forest areas include:
*No building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except in Forest Service designated recreation sites or some wilderness areas.
*Propane or liquid fuel-powered stoves are still allowed.
*No using an explosive, a restriction that is always in effect
*No possessing, discharging, or using any fireworks, which is also always in effect.
Alice Carlton, Forest Supervisor for the Umpqua National Forest, said residents should take advantage of the additional time at home to tackle a defensible space project on their property.