June 1 marked the start of fire season on the ODF Southwest Oregon District, affecting ODF-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties.
On May 31 ODF responded alongside our partners at Rural Metro Fire – Josephine County, Grants Pass Department of Public Safety and Jackson County Fire District #1 to four fires in the district. The largest, located off of Jump Off Joe Creek Road east of Merlin (pictured), was stopped at three acres.
With the hot and windy conditions we’ve been experiencing in southern Oregon, fire risk and behavior will continue to increase. Help prevent fires by following the regulations of low fire danger that go into effect tomorrow:
- No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
- No fireworks on or within 1/8 of a mile of ODF-protected land.
- Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.
- Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds, and on private land with the landowner’s permission. Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used in areas clear of vegetation at any time.
- Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations.
- Any electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services and be installed and used in compliance with the fence controller’s instructions for fire safe operation.
The start of fire season also means regulations on industrial activities. Under IFPL I (one), fire season requirements are in effect, in addition to the following: - A Firewatch is required at this and all higher levels unless otherwise waived.
Additional information about fire season is also available online on our website, www.swofire.com.