July 13, 2021 3:30 a.m. 

The fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Jackson and Josephine counties will increase to Extreme on Wednesday.

An ODF update said that affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county and Bureau of Land Management lands within its Southwest Oregon District. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at Level 2.

The update said the primary difference between the current fire prevention restrictions and those beginning on Wednesday affects the public use of power-driven equipment, such as chain saws and mowers. The use of power-driven equipment, grinding, cutting of metal, and other spark-emitting equipment, such as wood splitters and generators, will be prohibited. The mowing of dry or dead grass will prohibited as well.

For more information and complete details about ODF’s fire season restrictions, go to: www.swofire.com or check its Facebook page.