Lakeview, Ore. — As the Fourth of July approaches, fire officials are reminding the public that possessing, igniting, discharging or using fireworks or exploding targets is prohibited on lands protected by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service.
The use or possession of fireworks on federal or state lands is subject to confiscation and fines of up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail. Anyone found responsible for starting a wildfire can be held liable for suppression costs that can be hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
The potential for dangerous wildfires is higher than normal because of a mild winter. In addition, South Central Oregon is expecting record high temperatures that are 10 to 12 degrees above normal during the Fourth of July weekend.
Fire officials also ask the public to check local fire restrictions before starting campfires. They should then completely extinguish campfires and ensure they are cold to the touch before leaving them. Motorists should also be aware vehicles that drive or park over dry vegetation can ignite fires.
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