Starting this Monday, June 16, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., additional fire precaution orders will be applied to all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District. This regulated-use closure is intended to help reduce the number of human-caused fires in the district.
“With high temperatures forecasted, the district is issuing extra fire prevention restrictions to address the current conditions,” said Rob Pentzer, Central Oregon District Forester.
With that in mind, the ODF Central Oregon District restricts the following activities:
- Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads.
- Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except in designated areas. The use of portable appliances such as camp stoves and fire pits using liquified or bottled fuels are allowed in clear areas free of flammable vegetation. The following is required where open fires and appliances are allowed; one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2 ½ pound fire extinguisher.
- Chainsaw use is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Chainsaw use is permitted at all other hours, if the following firefighting equipment is present with each operating saw: one axe, one shovel, and one operational 8 ounce or larger fire extinguisher. In addition, a fire watch is required for at least one hour following the use of each saw.
- Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. At all other times the area is to be cleared of flammable vegetation and the following fire equipment is required: one axe, one shovel, and one operational 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher in good working order.
- Use of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, is prohibited, except on improved roads and except for vehicle use by a landowner and employees of the landowner upon their own land while conducting activities associated with their livelihood.
- Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling in a motorized vehicle, except on federal and state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one operational 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher, except all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles which must be equipped with an approved spark arrestor in good working condition.
- Mowing of dried grass with power driven equipment is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., except for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops. The use of battery or electric powered string trimmers is exempt from this requirement.
- Use of fireworks is prohibited.
- Blasting is prohibited.
- Any electric fence controller in use shall be: 1) Listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and 2) Operated in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Aside from these restrictions, also prohibited throughout fire season is backyard debris burning, the use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition.
As of June 10, 2025 the Central Oregon District will be in HIGH fire danger, except for the John Day/ Monument Unit who will remain in MODERATE. This sudden increase is due to fast changing conditions in the district.
Additional fire restrictions or regulations may apply depending on the various fire risks. Check the full list of restrictions at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/
ODF’s Central Oregon District protects state and private lands in Hood River, Wasco, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook Morrow, Grant, Wheeler, Umatilla, Gillam, Klamath and Harney County.
For more information on the Central Oregon District and fire season regulations, visit https://
