September 29, 2020 4:00 a.m. 

Warm and dry conditions have returned to the Umpqua Valley, prompting the Douglas Forest Protective Association to increase the fire danger level to Moderate.

Kyle Reed of DFPA said the Industrial Fire Precaution Level remains at IFPL1, district wide. That affects all 1.6 million acres of land protected by DFPA.

Reed said under DFPA’s Public Use Restrictions, these activities are allowed before 1:00 p.m. or after 8:00 p.m.:

*The cutting, trimming, or mowing of dried or cured grass. This restriction does not apply to the mowing of green lawns or for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops

*The cutting, grinding or welding of metal for non-industrial purposes

*The use of power saws for non-industrial purposes

*Any non-industrial improvement or development taking place on private property that utilizes power driven machinery not specifically mentioned in the Public Use Restrictions

Reed said these fire prevention measures remain in place and are unchanged:

*Smoking is prohibited while traveling in wildland areas, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and at other designated locations

*Open fires are prohibited including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at designated sites. Portable cooking stoves using liquified or bottled fuels are allowed elsewhere

*The use of fireworks is prohibited

Other restrictions apply as well. Go to www.dfpa.net or call the 24-hour information line at 672-0379 for more information