Fire Season begins July 5 in West Oregon District

Open burning has been banned in Benton and Polk counties.

Owyhee Canyon Fire was reported the afternoon of June 5. Cause: lightning. Photo: ODF

(PHILOMATH, Ore.) - Due to increasing fire danger, the Oregon Department of Forestry has officially declared that fire season will go into effect at 1 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, in the West Oregon District.

This area includes private, state, county and Bureau of Land Management forestlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Benton, Polk, Lincoln and southern Yamhill counties.

Fire season requirements will be in effect for industrial operations occurring in the West Oregon District.

Operations are required to have fire prevention and firefighting equipment at the operation site and provide a fire watch on each operation after equipment is shut down.

This includes: fire tools and fire tool box for the operation as well as fire tools and extinguishers for vehicles.

Operations must meet the requirements for: water supply, pumps, power saws, spark arresters, and cable operations.

In addition, open burning has been banned in Benton and Polk counties. These bans are implemented in cooperation with local fire defense boards and ODF, and will remain in effect until significant rains begin in the fall.

Fire season is declared each year based on weather conditions and fire danger. As forest vegetation dries due to warmer temperatures and less rain, fire danger increases.

As the fire season progresses, further restrictions will be put in effect on both public and forest operations to reduce the chance of wildfires.

Extra precautions need to be taken by forest users and forest workers to prevent fires from starting.

For more information on fire season requirements, contact the West Oregon District at these locations:
541-929-3266 Philomath Office
503-934-8146 Dallas Office
541-366-2273 Toledo Office
Or, visit the Oregon Dept. of Forestry website at: www.oregon.gov/ODF

Source: Oregon Department of Forestry