Fire Season Ends Sunday, Public Use Restriction Moved to Low, IFPL to Level 1

The Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) will officially end the 2022 fire season on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., for lands under their protection and management. The end of fire season is a result of recent wetting rains and an overall cooling trend that has returned to the area. With the end of fire season, both the public and industrial fire restrictions that were implemented through DFPA will no longer be in effect. A list of fire restrictions and closures in place through private industrial landowners can be found online at https://ofic.com/private-forestland-closures/. Backyard debris burning outside of incorporated cities will be allowed without a burn permit from DFPA, however, residents should contact their local fire department before conducting any type of debris burning as fire restrictions may vary between local fire districts. The only type of burning that requires a permit from DFPA outside of fire season is for the burning of logging slash. Any type of commercial tree harvest that requires excess debris to be burned constitutes logging slash and therefore requires a burn permit. Permits to burn logging slash can be obtained by calling DFPA at 541-672-6507. Despite fire season coming to an end, fire officials advise residents to exercise caution when burning yard debris or when using fire in the woods. Several days of sunshine and dry weather during the fall months can create a fire risk even if a week or more of cool, wet conditions precede them. When burning yard debris, make sure to have an adequate fire trail around the pile before ignition begins and have fire tools and a water supply at the burn site. Debris piles should never be left unattended and should be fully extinguished before leaving the area. If a debris burn escapes containment, the responsible party may be held financially responsible for the resulting fire suppression costs and associated damages. Those choosing to recreate in wildland areas are reminded that private industrial landowners and neighboring public land management agencies may still have fire restrictions or closures in place on the lands they own or manage. Recreationists should check with the appropriate landowner or public land management agency for the location they plan to recreate, before heading to the woods. Staff with the Douglas Forest Protective Association would like to thank the community for their cooperation and support during the 2022 fire season. *** JOINT NEWS RELEASE from Douglas Forest Protective Association: Effective at 12:01 pm / NOON, on Saturday, October 22, 2022, Public Restriction Levels will change to LOW 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 1, in regulated use area (s) DG-1, DG-2, UA-1, UA-2, and all forestland within a 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 is allowed ALL DAY. Off-Road Driving Allowed with Landowner Permission for Motor Vehicles including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles are only allowed on improved roads free of flammable vegetation, except for the cultivation and harvest of agricultural crops. In addition, each passenger vehicle traveling on forestlands, except on state highways, county roads, and driveways must have an axe, a shovel, and one gallon of water or a 2 ½ pound or larger ABC fire extinguisher. ATVs must have a 2 ½ pound or larger ABC fire extinguisher. Debris Burning- including debris piles and burn barrels are PROHIBITED at all times. What restrictions does IFPL1, Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1 place on industries: Under Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1, the use of fire or power-driven machinery in any operation area is unlawful unless such use is in compliance with the following: All applicable fire prevention requirements of ORS Chapter 477 and OAR Chapter 629 Divisions 41 to 43.