July 1, 2025 3:30 a.m.

The fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwestern Oregon District will increase to high and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level will increase to Level 2 on Wednesday.

Public Information Officer Natalie Weber said this is due to consistent hot temperatures, dry vegetation and the threat of thunderstorms and unpreventable lightning-caused fire potential. Weber said this change affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties.

The primary difference between current fire prevention restrictions and those beginning on Wednesday affects the public use of power-driven equipment, such as chainsaws, mowers, weed eaters and more. The use of power-driven equipment, grinding, cutting of metal and other spark-emitting equipment, such as wood splitters and generators, will be prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily. This does not apply to mowing green lawns.

For complete information on restrictions in the Southwest Oregon District, go to: www.swofire.com