Beginning Friday, July 24: Fire Danger Level Extreme, IFPL III

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Beginning Friday, July 24, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and all private, county, and state wildlands protected by the Klamath-Lake District, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will be raising the Fire Danger Level to Extreme.

With the progression of summer conditions and continued drying of forest fuels, local fire danger levels have reached “EXTREME”. Fires starting in these conditions have the potential for rapid fire spread and major damage.

Additional fire prevention requirements have been placed on industrial forest operations. High speed rotary saws and tracked felling/skidding equipment are required to shut down between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. High speed rotary saws are also required to have an “operation area observer” visually inspecting the area worked in and also additional fire equipment. These are in addition to the normal requirements listed in “A Guide to Legal Requirements for Prevention and Controlling Fires in Operations On and Near Forest Land in Oregon.”

These additional restrictions, along with Public Regulated Use Restrictions that were put in effect by fire officials on July 10, will dramatically reduce the chance of an accidental fire start.

The “Fire season in effect” declaration on June 1 put regulations restricting debris burning and timber harvest operations. Wildland and structural fire protection agencies in Klamath County have agreed to prohibit all outdoor debris burning. Forest operations that require a permit to operate power-driven machinery now are required to have fire tools, on-site water supply, and watchman service on privately owned forest land. The release of sky lanterns is prohibited during any time of the year. The discharge of exploding targets and the discharge of tracer ammunition are not permitted during the duration of the fire season.

For more information on restrictions please visit: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx

Industrial Fire Precaution Level III
IFPL will be implemented on public lands administered by the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District, and Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Under IFPL III, personal and commercial woodcutters are prohibited from operating power saws.

Personal and commercial woodcutters are reminded of their responsibility to stay informed of current IFPLs and all restrictions that apply to activities conducted on public lands. Failure to comply with precautionary fire requirements may result in the issuance of a Violation Notice.

Public Use Restrictions
Public Use Restrictions apply to lands managed by the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Lakeview District, and U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex and Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The following restrictions apply:

Building, maintaining, attending, or using campfires or stove fires are allowed only in designated campgrounds/areas. Specific site information may be obtained by contacting your local Forest Service, BLM, or USFWS offices.
Portable cooking stoves utilizing liquefied or bottled fuel sources continue to be allowed on all public lands managed by the Fremont-Winema National Forest, BLM’s Lakeview District, and USFWS Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex and Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle, building, developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is void of all flammable material, including vegetation.
A motorized vehicle (this includes all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, cars, pickups, etc.) may only be operated on roads where vegetation does not come into contact with the vehicle’s undercarriage.
Motorized vehicles parked off roadways must be in an area barren of flammable material, including vegetation.
Internal combustion engines (generators, etc.) not previously addressed may only be operated within designated campgrounds/areas.
Power saw operations are prohibited.
No welding equipment may be used, including acetylene or open flame torches.
All motorized vehicles must carry the following equipment:
- One shovel not less than 26 inches in overall length, with a blade not less than eight inches wide,
- One water container of at least one gallon in size filled or a 2.5 pound fully charged fire extinguisher,
- One axe or pulaski with a handle at least 26 inches in length and a head weight of not less than two pounds.
Spark arresting devices must be properly installed and maintained on all internal combustion engines.

For more information on restrictions please visit: https://www.scofmp.org/

Klamath Falls News coverage of the 2020 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.

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