<I>The Eagle/Scott Mallory</I><BR>Firefighters from Frazier, Malheur, Siskiyou, Sled Springs and Wenatchee forests took part in the 2006 Rappel Academy early this month at Lake Creek Camp. Jarred Johnson, Andrew Nepstad, Paul Guivens, Tim Boethin, Ebban Babb, Len Palakiko, Ken Fahey and Tanner Eccles from the Malheur passed the exam and are now rappelers. Fire seasoned started June 24.

Starting at 6 a.m. June 24, the lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry, Prineville/Sisters and John Day Units, went go into fire season.-

This includes Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Gilliam, Harney, Jefferson, Morrow, and Wheeler counties.

Burning permits are required on all private and state forests. The Oregon Department of Forestry will generally not issue permits within rural fire districts where burn bans are in effect.

Fire tools, water supply and a watchman service are required on commercial forest operations occurring on private lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

If you did burn any yard debris or slash last fall or this spring, check your piles for residual heat.- Backyard and other debris burn piles can hold fire for weeks and even months; they may appear to be out.-If a holdover fire escapes, the responsible party could be held liable for firefighting costs.-

You must have a permit if burning is allowed in your area.

– Campfires on private forests are allowed with landowner permission only.

-“We’ve had a wet spring this year and that has delayed the onset of fire season for a couple of weeks.- However, this is the time of year when we can expect consistent hot and dry conditions and with that, a rapid increase in fire danger levels,” said George Ponte, unit forester with the Oregon Department of Forestry.-

So far this year statewide, lightning has caused 13 fires and burned 11 acres, and 208 human-caused fires have burned 376 acres.

Prairie City Rural Fire Protection District Within the City of Prairie City and Prairie City Rural Fire Protection District, the following burning restrictions apply:

Burning of burn barrels between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. is allowed with a valid permit and comply with the requirements of that permit. Permits for burning barrels may be obtained from the Prairie City City Hall.

Until further notice, barbecues and campfires are allowed.

Until further notice, open pile burning, or other burning is not allowed, except by special permit from the Fire Chief or his representative. Contact the City Hall for more information.

You may be charged with both criminal and civil penalties if you violate burning ordinances, or if your fire escapes.

It is always illegal to burn garbage and tires and other materials, which are harmful to the environment or offensive to your neighbors.

FireworksOregon law bans possession, use or sales of fireworks that fly, explode or travel more than six feet on the ground or 12 inches in the air.

Federal parks and forests, state parks and forests and Oregon beaches all prohibit fireworks.

The 194 reported fireworks-related fires for the year 2005 was almost a 50-percent decrease from the 379 fireworks-related fires for the year 2004. Of the fireworks-related fires, 164 occurred from June 1 through July 31, 2005, and resulted in an estimated dollar loss of $287,667.

Youths, 17 and younger, were responsible for sixty-eight (35 percent), of the 194 fireworks-related fires. This same age group was responsible for $222,771 (76 percent), of the total estimated dollar loss.