Fire Danger Level Rises to “Moderate” in Jackson and Josephine Counties

Medford, Oregon- The fire danger level in Jackson and Josephine counties will increase from low to moderate this Thursday at 12:01 a.m., according to the Southwest Oregon District of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). The adjustment is due to high temperatures and dry conditions, necessitating new restrictions to mitigate fire risk.

The new regulations will affect 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city, and Bureau of Land Management lands under ODF’s protection. The following restrictions will be implemented:

• Open Fires: Prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires, and warming fires, except at designated campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves or firepits using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed in areas clear of vegetation.
• Chainsaws: Use is prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Chainsaws can be used outside this time frame if the operator has a shovel and an 8-oz or larger fire extinguisher at the site, with a fire watch required for one hour post-use.
• Metal Cutting, Grinding, and Welding: Not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Permitted outside these hours if the work site is cleared of flammable materials and a water supply is available.
• Mowing Dead or Dried Grass: Prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., excluding mowing of green lawns or equipment used for commercial agricultural purposes.
• Motorized Vehicles: Permitted only on improved roads free of flammable vegetation. Vehicles must carry a shovel and one gallon of water or a 2.5-pound or larger fire extinguisher.
• Spark-Emitting Engines: Use of spark-emitting internal combustion engines not specified is prohibited between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Outside these hours, the site must be cleared of flammable materials and have a water supply.

Existing public fire restrictions will continue, including:

• No debris burning, including piles and burn barrels.
• No fireworks within 1/8 mile of ODF-protected land or on BLM-managed lands.
• Prohibition of exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge.
• Smoking only allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, and designated locations.
• Electric fence controllers must be approved by recognized testing laboratories or certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services and used per safety instructions.

For more information, contact the Medford Southwest Oregon District unit office at 541-664-2236 or the Grants Pass unit office at 541-474-3152.

Source: ODF