May 28, 2024
Prineville, Ore. — Annual campfire restrictions will go into effect June 1 on some Bureau of Land Management-administered lands in central Oregon. In particular, campfires will be prohibited along portions of the Crooked, Deschutes, John Day and White rivers, as well as on BLM-administered lands along Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus.
“Our number one goal is protecting public and employee safety,” said James Osborne, Fire Management Officer for the BLM Prineville District. “We are excited that people are getting out and enjoying the rivers. Reducing the risk of human-caused wildfire helps us be good neighbors.”
These restrictions prohibit campfires, charcoal fires, or any other type of open flame. This includes a ban on the use of portable propane campfires and wood pellet burning devices. Commercially manufactured lanterns and metal camp stoves used for cooking are allowed, when fueled with bottled propane or liquid fuel and operated in a responsible manner. Under the restrictions, smoking is not allowed except inside vehicles or on the water.
“The river canyons present a combination of limited access, grassy fuels that dry out quickly, and steep slopes that allow wildfires to spread rapidly,” Osborne continued.
Restrictions will remain in effect through October 15, 2024. Violation of this closure is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both.
For more information and specific campfire closure locations apply to BLM-administered lands, see the river closure order. For more information about these closures, or other fire restrictions on BLM-administered lands in central Oregon, please review the river closure order, call the Prineville BLM District Office at 541-416-6700 or visit https://www.blm.gov/orwafire.
For current information on public use restrictions, fire closures or changes to the Industrial Fire Precaution Level on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the BLM Prineville District, please call the information line at 1-800-523-4737. Additional information about fire activity in Central Oregon is available online at: https://centraloregonfire.org/.
