Be Fire Aware: New Restrictions in Effect on Bureau of Land Management Lands in the Medford District
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Medford, Ore. – To prevent human-caused fire and reduce wildfire potential during a period of extreme risk, the Bureau of Land Management is prohibiting campfires at all BLM-managed campgrounds within the Medford District. Effective immediately, additional public use restrictions will apply to certain activities on lands managed by the BLM in Jackson and Josephine counties. Under the restrictions, campfires or any other type of open fire, including the use of charcoal briquettes, is prohibited on BLM-managed land. Visitors can use portable cooking stoves that use liquefied or bottled fuels.
Additionally, power-driven machinery is prohibited in forested areas. This restriction includes power saws; equipment used for the cutting, grinding, or welding of metal; mowing of dry, cured grass with power equipment; and the use of any other spark-emitting equipment using an internal combustion engine.
Additionally, the following activities continue to be restricted:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal briquettes except at a designated area.
- Smoking is only allowed while inside a vehicle or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is clear of flammable vegetation.
- Operating a motor vehicle and parking off road (including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles) is only allowed on roadways clear of flammable vegetation.
- Using fireworks, exploding targets, or tracer ammunition is prohibited.
- Using a chainsaw or other equipment with internal combustion engines for felling, bucking, skidding, woodcutting, or any other operation is prohibited.
- Welding or operating a torch with an open flame is prohibited.
Visitors to lands managed by the BLM are also required to carry tools with them to ensure small fires can be put out quickly, including a shovel, axe, and at least one gallon of water or a 2.5-pound fire extinguisher.
Violation of these restrictions can result in a fine up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.
The safety of the public and all wildland fire responders is always the number one priority for all wildland fire agencies. This year, it is especially important that everyone does their part to reduce human-caused wildfires. BLM officials are taking the necessary steps to ensure their ability to deploy firefighters for wildfire response. Officials stress their commitment to the most efficient wildland fire suppression operations during these challenging times.
For updated information on public use restrictions, please visit www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-andfire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions and the Oregon Department of Forestry at https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.