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Medford, Ore. – As the weather warms and fire danger increases, Bureau of Land Management Medford District officials are implementing additional public use restrictions on BLM-managed lands in southern Oregon. Starting July 17, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., certain activities on BLM-managed lands in Jackson and Josephine Counties will be restricted to prevent human-caused fire and reduce wildfire potential. Under the restriction, campfires will be allowed at the Hyatt Lake Campground when access is restored.

In all other areas, visitors can use portable cooking stoves that use liquefied or bottled fuels. Otherwise, campfires or any other type of open fire, including the use of charcoal briquettes, is prohibited. 

The primary change to fire prevention regulations now in effect relates to the use power-driven machinery, which will now be restricted between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., as detailed below:

• Power saws must be shut down between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Additionally, saw users must have one shovel and one fire extinguisher (8 oz. capacity or greater) at the job site, and a fire watch must take place for one hour after the saw is shut down.
• Equipment used for the cutting, grinding or welding of metal must be conducted in a cleared area, and all work must stop between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. A charged garden hose or a fire extinguisher (2.5 lb. or larger) must be at the job site.
• The mowing of dry, cured grass with power equipment will not be allowed between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. This regulation does not apply to farm equipment used for the culture and harvest of crops.
• The use of any other spark-emitting equipment using an internal combustion engine will not be allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. During other hours, this equipment must be used in a cleared area, and a garden hose or fire extinguisher (2.5 lb. or larger) must be at the equipment site.

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, wood cutting or any other operation is prohibited. 
• Welding, or operating a torch with an open flame, is prohibited. 

Visitors to BLM-managed lands 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 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