As hunters gear up for the opening weekend of deer season, the Douglas Forest Protective Association would like to remind all forest users to be cautious in wildland areas as fire season remains in effect. Fire officials say that it is important to know what fire restrictions are in place before heading to the woods and notes that specific fire restrictions may vary between different agencies and districts.
Locally, on the Douglas District, DFPA’s Public Use Restrictions remain in effect on all private, county, state, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs lands that are protected by DFPA with a fire danger rating of Moderate. Under DFPA’s Public Use Restrictions, the following forest related activities are restricted:
· Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in wildland areas, except within vehicles or at designated locations.
· Vehicle Use: Vehicles traveling in wildland areas are required to stay on roads free of flammable vegetation. In addition, each vehicle traveling on forest roads must have an axe, shovel AND a 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher or a gallon of water. ATV’s and motorcycles are required to have a 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.
· Open Fires: Campfires, warming fires, and cooking fires are only allowed within DFPA designated campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed elsewhere. A list of DFPA’s designated campgrounds can be found online at www.dfpa.net/public-fire-restrictions
· Chainsaws: Non-industrial chainsaw use is allowed before 1:00 p.m. or after 8 p.m. Each saw must have a shovel and an 8 ounce or larger fire extinguisher and a one hour fire watch is required once the saw is done running for the day.
· Other Forest Restrictions: The use of fireworks, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, and sky lanterns are prohibited.
A complete list of DFPA’s Public Use Restrictions can be found online at www.dfpa.net or by calling DFPA’s 24 hour information line at 541-672-0379.
In addition to DFPA’s Public Use Restrictions, private industrial landowners and public land management agencies may have additional fire restrictions or closures in place on the lands they own or manage. Public access to areas in and around the Archie Creek Fire remains closed due to fire suppression activities. For all other locations, hunters and other forest users are urged to check with the landowner or public land management agency for the location they plan to recreate at to see if any additional closures or restrictions are in place. More information about private industrial landowner closures can be found online at
DFPA wishes all hunters a safe, productive and fire free hunting season.
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