September 13, 2024 3:30 a.m.

Following rain and cooler temperatures across southern Oregon, the fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District decreased to High, effective Friday.

Public Information Officer Natalie Weber said this affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties. Weber said the Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at Level 2.

Under the new restrictions, the public use of power-driven equipment, such as chainsaws, mowers, weed eaters and more, plus the grinding, cutting of metal, and other spark-emitting equipment like wood splitters and generators is now allowed until 10:00 a.m. and after 8:00 p.m. daily.

Complete information on restrictions in ODF’s Southwest Oregon District is available at: www.swofire.com