Restrictions Still In Effect on Public Lands in Medford District
Organization:
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
Medford, Ore. – Thanks to recent moisture, the Bureau of Land Management has reduced fire danger from Extreme to High on BLM-managed public lands in the Medford District. Fire officials want to remind the public that we are still in High Fire Danger and that public use restrictions are still in effect.
“It’s been a long fire season, are we aren’t out of the woods yet,” said District Manager Elizabeth Burghard. “Please help protect our local communities and public lands by following the personal use restrictions.”
Starting September 19 at 12:01am, 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 following activities are restricted:
- 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 between the hours of 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM. A firewatch of at least one hour is required following the use of a saw.
- Welding, or operating a torch with an open flame, is prohibited between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM. A fire watch of at least one hour is required after activity.
Visitors to BLM-managed lands are also required to carry with them tools 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.
For updated information on public use restrictions, please visit www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/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.