LAKEVIEW, Ore. – The South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) will be lifting Public Use Restrictions effective at midnight tonight for most of the area. Public Use Restrictions remain in effect for the Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Lifting of the restrictions means campfires on most south central Oregon public lands, including the Fremont-Winema National Forest, are no longer restricted to designated campgrounds.

The public is asked to be aware of current restrictions in place on neighboring federal lands, especially in areas of shared management, such as the Sky Lakes Wilderness Area.

Additionally, SCOFMP managers are dropping the Adjective Class to “High” fire danger, and reducing the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) to II (Partial Hootowl) for the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Lakeview District Bureau of Land Management, and Klamath-Lake District Oregon Department of Forestry lands effective at midnight tonight.

The decision to transition to an IFPL II and lift Public Use Restrictions was made based on current temperatures, relative humidity, fuel moisture levels and projected conditions over the coming weeks.

Level II – Partial Hootowl means the following operations are permitted between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time:

Power saws except at loading sites
Cable yarding
Blasting
Welding or cutting of metal

The public is reminded that it is still fire season, even though restrictions are starting to lift. Conditions will continue to be extremely dry until there is significant precipitation. Please continue to be vigilant and use caution when recreating on public and private lands. And if you have a campfire, please make sure it is completely out and cold to the touch before leaving.

More information on the IFPL or current restrictions can be found at https://www/scofmp.org.ofpls.html.

Press release from South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership.

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