Vale BLM announces additional fire use restrictions will take effect July 29
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VALE, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management’s Vale District Office announced today additional fire restrictions will take effect Monday, July 29.
“The light fuels that characterize the rangeland in this area take very little time to dry out with wind and higher temperatures,” explained Tracy Skerjanec, Vale District Deputy Fire Management Officer. “We constantly evaluate the fuel conditions in the district, and we’ve seen the moisture levels dropping significantly to warrant the additional restrictions.”
These restrictions will apply to all public lands administered by the Vale District Bureau of Land Management, including the Malheur Field Office, Baker City Field Office, the 500-acre National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center site, and Bureau of Reclamation lands within Vale District boundaries, and will be posted and distributed throughout the district.
In addition to the BLM Oregon/Washington regional fire prevention order issued in May, under these restrictions all cross-country travel is prohibited until the order is lifted. Operating or parking motor vehicles or combustion engines is restricted to areas clear of all vegetation.
“The largest culprit for human-caused fires on lands managed by Vale BLM is equipment,” Fire Mitigation and Education Specialist Al Crouch said. “Statistically, fires caused by motorized vehicles and trailers are second only to lightning on the district.”
Equipment refers to many things besides cars and trucks, including, ATVs and side-by-sides, industrial and commercial vehicles and equipment, recreational vehicles, power lines and other electrical mechanisms, chainsaws and mowers, generators, welders, and more.
When operating a motorized vehicle wider than 48 inches and heavier than 800 pounds on public lands, users must carry a shovel at least 26 inches in length with at least an eight-inch spade, and a one-gallon container of water or a fully charged 2.5 pound fire extinguisher. All motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles must be equipped with a properly functioning U.S. Forest Service-approved spark arrestor.
Use of wood-fueled campfires, smokers, woodstoves, portable braziers and charcoal briquettes are also prohibited. Liquefied and bottled gas stoves and heaters are allowed; however, they must be used within an area at least ten feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable materials.
Smoking outdoors is only permitted within areas barren of all flammable materials for at least a 6-foot diameter, aboard boats on rivers and lakes or inside a motor vehicle.
Use of exploding targets, tracer and incendiary ammunition are prohibited as well. Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices are banned on public lands at all times.
Penalties for violating any of the conditions can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and/or a prison term of 12 months.
“We still want people to enjoy their public lands,” said Skerjanec, “but we have to balance that with reasonable restrictions to prevent wildfires. It may be necessary to implement further restrictions if conditions warrant. We will continue to keep the public informed as situations change.”
For more information on current fire restrictions within Vale District BLM-protected lands, go to www.blm.gov/office/vale-district-office; for all Eastern Oregon agencies, go to http://bmidc.org; or contact the Vale District Office at 541-473-3144.
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.