October 2, 2020 3:45 a.m. 

As hunters gear up for the opening weekend of deer season, officials from the Douglas Forest Protective Association are asking forest users to be cautious in wildland areas as fire season remains in effect.

Fire Prevention Officer Kyle Reed said it is important to know what fire restrictions are in place before heading to the woods and said specific fire restrictions may vary between different agencies and districts.

A DFPA release said on the Douglas District, Public Use Restrictions remain in effect on all private, county, state, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs lands that are protected by DFPA. Fire Danger is rated as Moderate. Under the Public Use Restrictions, these forest related activities are restricted:

*Smoking is prohibited in wildland areas, except within vehicles or at designated locations.

*Vehicles traveling in wildland areas are required to stay on roads that are free of flammable vegetation. Each vehicle traveling on forest roads must have an axe, shovel and a 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher, or a gallon of water. ATV’s and motorcycles are required to have the same size fire extinguisher as well.

*Campfires, warming fires and cooking fires are only allowed within DFPA designated campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves using liquified or bottled fuels are allowed elsewhere. A list of those designated campgrounds can be found at www.dfpa.net/public-fire-restrictions.

*Non-industrial chainsaw use is allowed before 1:00 p.m. or after 8:00 p.m. Each saw must have a shovel and an 8 ounce or larger fire extinguisher and a one-hour fire watch is required once the saw is done running for the day.

A complete list of DFPA’s Public Use Restrictions are available at www.dfpa.net or by calling 672-0379.