The Oregon Department of Forestry's Southwest Oregon District will increase the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) to Level 3 effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, August 5th. The Fire Danger Level will remain at Extreme.
The change is due to critically dry fuels, numerous recent fire responses across southwest Oregon, and a forecast of above-normal temperatures, low relative humidity, and gusty winds this week, resulting in multiple Red Flag Warnings being issued.
High temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees in many locations, increasing the potential for new fire starts and rapid fire growth. These regulations apply to the 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city, and Bureau of Land Management lands protected by ODF's Southwest Oregon District.
Current public use restrictions remain unchanged under the Extreme Fire Danger Level. These include the prohibited usage of power saws, cutting, grinding, and welding of metal, mowing of dry or dead grass, and the operation of any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine.
Fire prevention regulations currently in effect, and that will remain in effect until fire danger level drops significantly include prohibited smoking while traveling unless on improved roads, in boats on water, or designated locations, prohibited debris burning, and no open fires or firework usage.
For more information about and the full list of fire season restrictions, visit www.swofire.com or follow ODF Southwest Oregon District on Facebook.
