Northwest Oregon: Increased Fire Restrictions for Gooseneck Area Begin August 9
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Salem, Ore. — Beginning at 12:01a.m. on Thursday, August 9, discharging a firearm and overnight camping will be prohibited on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in the Gooseneck area, located northwest of Dallas, Ore. Extremely dry conditions in conjunction with current and expected weather forecasts have elevated the potential risk of wildfire starts throughout the area. These restrictions are in addition to those announced for BLM land within the Northwest Oregon District on July 15, which includes starting any fire outside a designated fire ring, operating a chain saw, smoking outside a vehicle, or parking over flammable material. Shooting tracer rounds, using exploding targets, or lighting fireworks is always illegal on BLM land in Oregon. Discharging a firearm while legally hunting is exempted from the prohibition.
The 2018 fire season is well underway and fire indicators used by the BLM to assess fire danger, such as fuel moisture content, have reached historic lows. Additionally, some visitors to the Gooseneck Extensive Recreation Management Area continue to engage in unsafe behaviors despite fire use restrictions and fire danger. The Gooseneck area contains valuable public and private natural resources that are directly threatened by a combination of weather conditions and a potential for fire starts.
The increased restrictions cover to all lands in the Gooseneck Extensive Recreation Management Area, Mill Creek Ridge Area of Critical Environmental Concern, and Mill Creek Special Recreation Management Area (see attached map) and are in effect until rescinded by the BLM.
As stewards, the BLM manages public lands for the benefit of current and future generations, supporting conservation as we pursue our multiple-use mission. For updated fire information or to report any unauthorized fire activity, please contact the State of Oregon Department of Forestry.
Additional information about wildland fire conditions in the Pacific Northwest is available at: http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/.
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.