FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 22, 2023
Central Oregon – With increasingly cooler weather and various levels of precipitation across Central Oregon, the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland, and the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will drop public use (fire) restrictions effective at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, September 23. Additionally, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) that pertains to permitted activities like firewood cutting, has lowered to Level I.
With this action, campfires are now allowed outside of designated, developed campgrounds across public land. The public is reminded to use existing fire rings for campfires wherever possible and to always bring a shovel and extra water to ensure the fire is cold to the touch when you leave.
The exception to this is the annual river corridor restrictions which remain in place through October 15. Campfires, charcoal fires, wood pellet burning devices, and portable propane campfire devices are still prohibited on BLM-administered lands along portions of the Crooked, Deschutes, John Day, and White Rivers, as well as along Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus.
With a return to IFPL I, firewood cutters are now allowed to cut firewood at any time of the day. Please ensure that spark arrestors are in good working order and you carry a shovel and water for use if you inadvertently spark a fire. Information on current restrictions or the current Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) can be obtained by contacting your Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737.
For current wildland fire information, the public can visit centraloregonfire.org or follow fire information on Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.
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