August 4, 2020 9:25 a.m.

Due to increased fire danger levels, the Umpqua National Forest will move to Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3 on Thursday.

Mark Turney of the Forest Service said under IFPL3, also called partial shutdown, industrial operators face additional restrictions:

*All fire wood cutting on the Umpqua National Forest is prohibited.

*Cable yarding is prohibited except that gravity operated logging systems with non-motorized carriages may operate between 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. when all blocks and moving lines are suspended 10 feet above ground except the line between the carriage and the chokers.

*Power saws are prohibited except at loading sites and at tractor skidder operations between 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Turney said in addition these operations are only permitted between 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.:

*Tractor, skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder or shovel logging operations where tractors, skidders or other equipment with a blade capable of constructing fire lines are immediately available to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start.

*Mechanized loading or hauling of any product or material.

*Blasting, welding or cutting of metal and any other spark emitting operations not specifically mentioned.

IFPL3 does not allow any wood cutting either for commercial or personal use. For timber operators working at landings, chainsaw use is only allowed from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Umpqua National Forest remains at a HIGH fire danger rating and is in Level 1 Public Use Restrictions.

Go to www.fs.usda.gov/umpqua for more information.