Due to increased fire danger and dry weather conditions on the Emigrant Creek Ranger District, Industrial Fire Precaution Level II (IFPL II) is being implemented along with Phase A of the Public Use Restrictions (PURS), effective as of Saturday, July 14, at 12:01 a.m. (PDT).

IFPL regulates activities on the forest such as firewood cutting, logging, thinning, and other commercial activities. At IFPL II, internal combustion engines, such as chainsaws, may not be operated between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Phase A is the second level of restrictions, generally implemented when the fire danger is moderate to high. PURS are phased in collectively, as conditions warrant, and may differ from forest to forest.

As of Saturday, July 14, at 12:01 a.m. (PDT), Phase A of the Public Use Restrictions (PURS) are in effect on the Emigrant District and will include:

1. Operating a chainsaw outside the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time. A one-hour fire watch is required after saw operations cease. Saw operators are required to have an axe (minimum 2 pound head, 26 inch length), shovel (8 inch wide, 26 inch length), and fire extinguisher (minimum ABC 8 ounces) in their possession.

2. Seasonal Campfire Restrictions and Requirements described for June 1-October 31 apply.

Campfires allowed only in fire pits surrounded by dirt, rock, or commercial rings and in areas not conducive to rapid fire spread, at a minimum clear of all flammable material within a radius of 3 feet from the edge of the pit and free of overhanging material. Use existing pits wherever possible.

a. Campfires must be attended at all times, and completely extinguished prior to leaving.

b. Persons with campfires are required to have a tool that can serve as a shovel and one gallon of water in their possession. The intent of this requirement is to ensure individuals with a campfire to have the tools necessary to completely extinguish their campfire per “a” above.

c. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled gas and wood burning stoves equipped with a chimney that is at least 5 feet in length with a spark-arresting screen consisting of one-quarter inch mesh hardware cloth are allowed.

d. Use of charcoal briquettes is permitted under the same restrictions as campfires as described above.

e. Smoking, except within enclosed vehicles and buildings, or areas cleared of flammable material with a minimum clearance of 3 feet.

f. Operating a motorized vehicle off National Forest System roads.

g. Operating a motor vehicle on National Forest System roads where vegetation or other flammable material comes into contact with the vehicle’s undercarriage.

h. Being on a closed National Forest System road where access has been impeded or blocked by earthen berm, logs, boulders, barrier, barricade, or gate.

The public’s awareness of the increasing fire danger and cooperation is essential to a safe fire season. Recreationists, firewood cutters, hunters, and other forest users can all help by closely adhering to restrictions, operating safely and cautiously, and keeping up-to-date on the latest orders and regulations.

Please check with your local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) office for any public use restrictions in effect on lands protected by them.

For more information about Industrial Fire Precaution Levels and Malheur National Forest Public Use Restrictions, please call 541-575-3000 or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur

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On Friday, July 13, the Burns Interagency Fire Zone moved from an IFPL one to a level two, partial hoot owl, and fire danger increased to high.

IFPL two limits the operation of power saws (except at loading sites), cable yarding, blasting, and welding or cutting metal to only those hours after 8 p.m. and before 1 p.m. local time. All power saw operators must stay in the cutting area for one hour after the chainsaw is shut off to watch for fire starts. Personal and commercial woodcutters are reminded of their responsibility to stay informed of current IFPLs and all restrictions that apply to activities conducted on public lands.

These changes in IFPL and fire danger affect all public land within the Burns Interagency Fire Zone, including the Emigrant Creek Ranger District of the Malheur National Forest and the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

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Public use restrictions on Bureau of Land Management-administered lands only will increase on Friday, July 20. The following will be prohibited until further notice:

• All open burning and campfires, including those in rock fire pits or metal fire rings.

• Wood and charcoal fires, including charcoal grills, portable braziers, wood-fired stoves, and smokers.

• All chainsaw use.

• Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices; tracer and incendiary ammunition; and explosives and exploding targets.

• Smoking outside, except within areas barren of all flammable material for at least a 3-foot diameter.

• Operating a motorized vehicle without a shovel and a container with at least one gallon of water, or a fully charged 2.5-pound fire extinguisher.

• Operating or parking any type of motorized vehicle or internal combustion engine off existing roadways in areas not clear of all flammable materials, berm-to-berm. No cross-country travel, and all-terrain and utility-terrain vehicles must be equipped with a functional spark arrestor.

Hot, dry summer weather and depleting fuel moisture will continue over the next several weeks. The Bureau of Land Management is committed to keeping public landscapes healthy and productive. Visitors should use extreme caution when recreating outdoors this time of year.

For more information on the IFPL, fire danger, or public use restrictions, call the Burns Interagency Communication Center at (541) 573-4545.