Fire Danger Levels Lowered to High Within Douglas District

We have received rain, temperatures have dropped and clouds are currently over the Douglas District. We have been able to lower the fire danger level from EXTREME to HIGH but that does not mean that fire season is over. Moisture levels in our fuels (vegetation; grass, brush, shrubs, trees, etc.) remain low and the chances for wildfires to start are still HIGH. Please continue to use precaution and follow the current public and industrial regulations. Effective Monday, September 12, 2022, at 12:01 am, Public Restriction Levels will change to HIGH for all private, county, state, and Bureau of Indian Affairs lands within the Douglas District. The Roseburg District BLM (BLM) is included in the fire season declaration, which imposes certain fire restrictions on the public and industrial operators to help prevent wildfires and have specific Fire Prevention Orders or other public use restrictions on the BLM administered lands. For further information on the BLM managed lands, please visit: https://www.blm.gov/orwafire. IFPL (Industrial Fire Precaution Level) levels within the Douglas District will also change to IFPL LEVEL 3, in regulated use area (s) DG-1, DG-2, UA-1, UA-2 and all forestland within one-eighth mile thereof. What does this change mean to the public? Non-industrial power saw usage, cutting, grinding, or welding of metal, cutting, trimming, or mowing of dried, cured grass, power driven machinery for non-industrial improvement or development on private property will only be allowed BEFORE 10 AM or AFTER 8 PM. What restrictions does IFPL3, Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3 place on industries: Under Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3, the use of fire or power-driven machinery in any operation area is unlawful unless such use is in compliance with the following: Restricted Shutdown: The following activities are not permitted at any time, except as noted: • Cable yarding systems, except that gravity operated logging systems using non-motorized carriages or approved motorized carriages may operate between 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. when all blocks and moving lines are suspended at least 10 feet above the ground (except the line between 2 the carriage and the chokers). An approved motorized carriage is defined as a cable yarding system employing a motorized carriage with two fire extinguishers, each with at least a 2A:10 BC rating, mounted securely on opposite sides of the carriage, an emergency motor cutoff, and an approved exhaust system. The following are permitted to operate between the hours of 8 P.M. and 1 P.M.: • Power saws at loading sites; • Loading or hauling of any product or material; • Blasting; • Welding, cutting, or grinding of metal; • Any other spark emitting operation not specifically mentioned. In addition, the following are permitted to operate between the hours of 8 P.M. and 1 P.M. where mechanized equipment capable of constructing fire line is immediately available to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start: • Ground-based operations (tractor/skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder, or shovel logging operations); • Power saws on ground-based operations; • Rotary head saw feller-bunchers with a continuous Firewatch; • Non-rotary head saw feller-bunchers; • Tethered logging - winch-assisted, cable-assisted, traction-assisted, etc. systems, which enable ground-based timber harvesting machines to operate on steep slopes. The State Forester or an authorized representative may, in writing, approve a modification or waiver of these requirements. These restrictions shall remain in effect until replaced or terminated by an additional Closedown Order of the State Forester or an authorized representative. Maps of the subject area may be viewed at the State Forester's Office, in Salem, Oregon, and at principal offices of the Forest Protection District. Definitions of words and phrases used in this proclamation may be found in ORS 477.001, OAR 629-041-0005. Via DFPA