Sunday, May 26, 2013

Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868

Forest restrictions increase

POLK COUNTY -- Continued warm and dry weather has prompted the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to increase fire safety restrictions in the department's West Oregon District, which provides fire protection in many rural and forested areas of Polk County and surrounding regions.

August 14, 2012

POLK COUNTY -- Continued warm and dry weather has prompted the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to increase fire safety restrictions in the department's West Oregon District, which provides fire protection in many rural and forested areas of Polk County and surrounding regions.

Effective Aug. 8, the following activities are prohibited on land under ODF fire protection:

* Smoking while traveling, except in vehicles driving on improved roads.

* Using open fires, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at designated locations. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.

* Chain saw use.

* Use of motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is prohibited, except on improved roads.

* Use of fireworks.

* Cutting, grinding or welding of metal.

Possession of basic firefighting equipment -- one shovel and one gallon of water or a 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher -- is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways.

This time of year, fire conditions and public use regulations are subject to change at any time. For the most current information about fire conditions and public use regulations in the West Oregon District, contact the Dallas ODF office at 503-623-8146.

Current fire safety restriction information for areas under ODF protection also is available at: www.oregon.gov/odf/pages/fire/precautionlevel.aspx.