August 28, 2020 3:30 a.m.

As hunters gear up for the opening weekend of bow season, fire officials with the Douglas Forest Protective Association are asking hunters and other forest users to know the current fire restrictions before heading into the woods.

Fire Prevention Officer Kyle Reed said DFPA’s Public Use Restrictions, which have been in effect since June 15th, either restrict or prohibit high risk activities which could easily start a new wildfire.

Reed said under the restrictions, smoking is prohibited in wildland areas, except inside vehicles. Open fires, including campfires, cooking fires, and warming fires are also prohibited, except in designated campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves using liquified or bottled fuels are allowed elsewhere.

The Public Use Restrictions also restrict vehicle use in wildland areas. All vehicles, including dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles that are traveling in wildland areas, must have a good working exhaust system and stay on improved roads that are free of flammable vegetation. Off road driving and trail riding is prohibited. In addition, each vehicle must be equipped with an axe, a shovel, and a gallon of water or a 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher.

Reed said other activities that are currently restricted or prohibited include the use of power saws for non-industrial purposes and the use of fireworks, tracer ammunition, exploding targets and sky lanterns.

A complete list of DFPA’s Public Use Restrictions are posted at www.dfpa.net.

Fire danger remains extreme on all lands protected by the DFPA.