FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE
DATE: September 16th, 2019
CONTACT: Chris Chambers, Wildfire Division Chief
541.552.2066 or 541.890.8816
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Fire Danger Level Drops to LOW (GREEN)
Monday September 16th 8:00am- Fire Season Remains in Effect
The recent rain and cooler temperatures have made it possible to decrease fire restrictions across Southwest Oregon, affecting both public and industrial use. The public fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Jackson and Josephine counties will lower to “low” (green), and the industrial fire precaution level (IFPL) will lower to I (one), effective as of 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 16, 2019.
The following restrictions are still in effect throughout the City of Ashland:
- Outdoor Debris Burning is Prohibited
- Fireworks are prohibited at all times, throughout the year within the City of Ashland.
- Sky Lanterns are prohibited at all times, throughout the year within the City of Ashland.
Under low fire danger, public fire restrictions in effect include:
- No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
- No fireworks on or within 1/8 of a mile of forestland.
- 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 as well.
- Motorized vehicles are allowed only on improved roads; one shovel and one gallon of water, or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher, is required while traveling.
- 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.
Under IFPL I (One) – Fire season requirements are in effect. In addition to other fire prevention measures, a Firewatch is required at this and all higher levels unless otherwise waived.
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire season public restrictions, please call or visit the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest to you:
Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. (541) 664-3328
Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants Pass. (541) 474-3152
Fire season information is also available online at our Facebook page: @ODFSouthwest and our website: www.swofire.com.
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