JOHN DAY – Effective Wednesday, Aug. 21, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) on the North Zone of the Malheur National Forest will be lowered to an IFPL 2 and the South Zone will be lowered to an IFPL 3, announced Stan Benes, Malheur National Forest Supervisor.

In addition, campfires will now be allowed in designated recreation sites. This is a change from a ban imposed on all campfires last week. Recent rains prompted forest officials to allow campfires at some campgrounds, and a list is available on the Malheur Forest website.

All other public use restrictions remain in effect, including the ban on firewood cutting and campfires in the Monument Rock and Strawberry Mountain wildernesses.

Changing weather conditions could result in a complete campfire ban being reinstated, therefore visitors are encouraged to come prepared in the event that campfires are prohibited.

Under Public Use Restrictions, visitors are not allowed to have an open campfire or charcoal grill except in specific designated recreation sites. No fires are allowed in the Monument Rock or Strawberry Mountain Wildernesses. Liquid gas stoves and heaters are allowed. Smoking is only permitted in an enclosed vehicle, building, or within specific developed recreation sites. Smoking is also allowed while stopped in an area that is at least three feet in diameter and is cleared of all flammable material. Smoking is not permitted while traveling through timber, brush, or grass. The use of chainsaws, generators and other internal compbusion engines in timber, grass, or brush is also

prohibited until further notice. Generators may be used if in a clear, dirt circle no less than 10 feet in diameter, or in the bed of a pickup that has been cleared of flammable material. Off-road vehicle travel and firewood cutting are not allowed.

“The change in the weather has reduced though not eliminated the risk of wildfire,” said Benes. “We are still asking visitors to be extremely cautious with anything that could start a fire. Historically, unattended campfires, or campfires that have not been completely extinguished, have been our biggest human caused reason for wildfires.”

Campers and visitors to the forest are urged to make sure their campfires are completely put out and not left unattended.

Updated information will be posted on www.fs.fed.us/r6/malheur as changes are made, or call 541-575-3000 for further information.

To report a forest fire, call Malheur National Forest Dispatch at 541-575-1321.

Other public agencies also reported changes in the IFPL and restrictions on use.

The Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River Grassland, Deschutes National Forest and Prineville BLM are now at IFPL II.

Many people refer to the IFPL Level II regulations as “partial hoot owl” because chainsaw, cable yarding, blasting, welding and metal-cutting operations can only occur from 8 p.m. to 1 p.m. the following day. The regulations affect both commercial and personal use firewood cutters, and industrial operators.

Public use restrictions on campfires, smoking and vehicle use were lifted for the Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Restrictions for public lands adjacent to Lake Billy Chinook and several river recreation corridors remain in effect.

The public is advised to check local restrictions before visiting public or private lands. Current fire restrictions can be found by checking agency websites, speaking to campground hosts, reading posted signs and calling recorded messages.

To check Industrial Fire Precaution Levels and Public Use Restrictions for Central Oregon call the 24-hour Fire Use Line at 1-800-523-4737 or log onto www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/fire.

Fire managers urge people who visit public lands to be extremely careful with outdoor activities involving campfires, lanterns, charcoal briquettes, chainsaws and recreational vehicles. People who start wildland fires can be fined, jailed and billed for suppression costs.