Fire Season going into effect Friday, June 16

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LAKEVIEW, Ore. – Spring weather brought much-needed moisture to South Central Oregon. However, drought conditions remain across the landscape. As a result, fire managers will declare fire season in Klamath and Lake counties starting Friday, June 16, 2023, at 12:01 a.m.

Recent thunderstorms and heavy rains have assisted fire resources in South Central Oregon with fire suppression efforts during the start of the 2023 fire season. With the predicted warmer temperatures and winds, starting a fire that can grow several acres in minutes does not take much of a spark or heat. Fire managers will continue to monitor current conditions over the next weeks and reevaluate the fire danger level as needed.

Remember that abandoned campfires are the number one source of human-caused wildfires on public lands. Most campfires stay small and are easy for firefighters to put out, but it only takes one to threaten lives, destroy property, and change a beautiful area forever. Escaped debris burning remains the largest source of human-caused fires on private land. With the declaration of fire season, all burning is prohibited without a permit. 

Fire danger level will be LOW, and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be I.

Low Fire Danger means:

  • Fuels do not ignite readily from small brands. Intense heat sources such as lightning may start fires in duff, punky wood, and single trees.

  • Fires in open cured grass may burn freely for a few hours after rain, but forest fires spread slowly by creeping and smoldering.

IFPL I: Closed Season - Fire precaution requirements are in effect. A Fire Watch is required at this and all higher levels unless otherwise waived. 

  • Fire extinguisher and shovel must be with each chainsaw.

  • Fire extinguishers must be in all vehicles.

  • Chainsaws must have a .023-inch mesh screen installed in the exhaust.

  • Approved spark arresters must be on all internal combustion engines.

  • Watchmen service must be provided for 1 hour after the shutdown of power equipment for the day unless otherwise specified.

  • No smoking is permitted while working or traveling through any operations area on public land except while in enclosed vehicles.

  • Permits to burn are required unless waived in advance.

For the Oregon Department of Forestry, the “Fire Season in effect” declaration puts into place 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. Declaring “Fire Season” also prohibits the release of sky lanterns, the discharge of exploding targets or the discharge of tracer ammunition during this period.

In conjunction with the declaration of the 2023 fire season, all lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management within half a mile of the Klamath River from the Keno Dam downstream to the Oregon/California border fall under this fire prevention order.

“Anyone who is found guilty of violating a fire prevention order may be subject to prosecution under any applicable law or BLM regulation. A violation of this order may be classified as a Class A Misdemeanor Offense under 43 USC 1733(a) FLPMA, 18 USC 3559, and 18 USC 3571 Sentence of Fine - Sentencing Reform Act, Oct. 12, 1984. If the violation does not result in death, anyone who violates this order may be fined not more than $100,000 and/or imprisoned for not more than 12 months or may be fined in accordance with the applicable provisions of 18 USC 3571. Restitution for total fire suppression and damage costs incurred will be borne by the responsible party.”

Whether accidental or intentional, people start wildfires every year in south central Oregon. These wildfires cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to suppress and endanger lives and our natural resources. Let us all do our part to protect these places we live by being diligent with our ignitions and leaving all fireworks at home.

Klamath River Canyon (Image: BLM)

Klamath River Canyon

Fire prevention order BLM Lakeview District

In conjunction with the declaration of the 2023 fire season, all lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management within half a mile of the Klamath River from the Keno Dam downstream to the Oregon/California border fall under this fire prevention order.  

Pursuant to Title 43 CFR 9212.2 (a), the following acts are prohibited on lands in the Klamath River Canyon within the Klamath Falls Field Office of the Lakeview District, Bureau of Land Management to prevent human-caused fire and reduce wildfire potential. 

This fire prevention order will become effective at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on the 16th day of June 2023 and remain in effect until further notice. 

Acts Prohibited Under This Order 

  1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal briquettes exceptat a designated area as listed inExhibit A. (Portablecooking stoves, and fire pits using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed when used in an area at least (6) feet from vegetation). 

  2. Smoking while travelingin timber, brush,or grass areas, except in vehicles on roads or while stopped in an area at leastthree (3) feet indiameterthat is barrenor cleared of all flammable material. 

  3. Operating any type of motorized vehicle except on roadways clear of flammable vegetation. Parking of vehicles off roadways must be done in an area barren of flammable material. 

  4. Operating any type of motorized vehicle on the Lakeview District,BLM, without the following:  

    1. One shovel not less than twenty-six (26) inches in overall length with a blade not less than eight (8) inches wide; and 

    2. One water container of at leaston (1) gallon filled to capacity, or a 2.5-poundfire extinguisher, ABC, fully charged; and 

    3. One axe, with a handle twenty-six (26) inches in length and a head weight of not less than two (2) pounds. 

  5. Operating a chainsaw. 

  6. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame. 

Persons Exempted from This Order 

Pursuant to Title 43 CFR 9212.3 (a), the following persons are exempt from this order: 

  1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act of omission. 

  2. Any federal, state,or local officeror member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force while in the performance of an official duty. 

Penalties for Violations 

Anyone who is found guilty of violating a fire prevention order may be subject to prosecution under any applicable law or BLM regulation. A violation of this order may be classified as a Class A Misdemeanor Offense under 43 USC 1733(a) FLPMA, 18 USC 3559, and 18 USC 3571 Sentence of Fine - Sentencing Reform Act, Oct. 12, 1984. If the violation does not result in death, anyone who violates this order may be fined not more than $100,000 and/or imprisoned for not more than 12 months or may be fined in accordance with the applicable provisions of 18 USC 3571. Restitution for total fire suppression and damage costs incurred will be borne by the responsible party. 

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