Firewood cutting on the Umatilla National Forest opens Friday, October 12, Campfire and Smoking Restrictions Remain in Effect
Release Date: Oct 9, 2012
Pendleton, OR: Public-use restrictions on the Umatilla National Forest prohibiting the use of chainsaws, generators and other internal combustion engines will be lifted beginning Friday, October 12, 2012. Campfire and smoking restrictions remain in effect.
“This weekend’s forecasted change in the weather is allowing us to ease public-use restrictions and permit chainsaw use,” said Brian Goff, fire staff officer. “We’ll need a significant amount of rain before we can lift campfire restrictions,” adds Goff.
Woodcutting has been prohibited on the Umatilla National Forest since mid-August. Because of the prolonged closure period, forest officials have extended the forest’s woodcutting season from November 15 to November 30, giving woodcutters an additional two weeks to gather firewood.
Firewood cutters are urged to be engaged, cautious and careful when using a chainsaw. Woodcutters are required to have on hand an ax, fire extinguisher and shovel. Chainsaws must be equipped with an approved spark arrester.
Under current public-use restrictions, the following apply:
Building and tending of open campfires, including charcoal briquettes, wood stoves, cooking fires and warming fires are prohibited until further notice, except in fire pits at designated recreation sites. Permissible sources for cooking or heat include pressurized gas BBQs, stoves and space-heating devices.
Smoking is only allowed within enclosed vehicles, buildings, developed recreation sites or when stopped in an area cleared of all flammable material.
As a reminder, travel restrictions prohibit motor vehicles traveling off of designated Forest roads and trails, except for the purposes of going to or from campsites located within 300 feet of an open road. Motorized travel on segments of road where access is blocked by gate, barricade, log, boulder or earthen berm is also prohibited. Vehicles must still abide by all laws and regulations pertaining to the area of travel.
Regulated closures are in effect on State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast and central Oregon. Specific information on ODF’s restrictions is available on the web at:
http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/. Similar restrictions are in effect on State and private lands protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA-DNR). More information can be found on the WA-DNR website at:
http://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/firedanger/BurnRisk.aspx If unsure of which restrictions apply, contact the Umatilla National Forest Office at (541) 278-3716. Public-use restrictions will be updated on the toll-free message line at 1-877-958-9663 andare also available online at:
www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/.
-USDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer-
PUBLIC USE & CAMPFIRE RESTRICTIONS
Campfires are ONLY allowed in the following designated recreation sites on the Umatilla National Forest. Even in these designated campsites, campers are cautioned to be extremely careful when using campfires!
North Fork John Day Ranger District:
Bear Wallow Campground
Frazier Campground
Fremont Cabin Rentals
North Fork John Day Campground
Olive Lake Campground
Winom Creek Campground
Walla Walla Ranger District:
JubileeLakeCampground
Mottet Campground
Target Meadows Campground
Woodland Campground
Woodward Campground
Approved campfire pits in the Spout Springs Summer Home Tract
Approved campfire pits in the Tollgate Summer Home Tract
Heppner Ranger District:
Bull Prairie Campground
Pomeroy Ranger District:
Alder Thicket Campground
Boundary Campground
Big Springs Campground
Godman Campground
Lady Bug Campground
Midway Campground
Misery Springs Campground
Panjab Campground
Pataha Campground
Teal Campground
Tucannon Campground
Wickiup Campground
Clearwater Cabin Rentals
Godman Cabin Rental
Wenatchee Cabin Rental
Meadow Creek Trailhead
Panjab Trailhead and overflow camping area
Approved campfire pits in the Summer Homes Tracts
