Beginning Friday, the Umpqua National Forest -and lands under the Douglas Forest Protective Association- will be at Industrial Fire Precaution Level IV. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.
A Level IV status restricts heavy industrial operations in vulnerable wilderness areas, given the extreme fire danger. Cheryl Caplan of the Umpqua National Forest lists off actions and equipment that are banned as long as the Level IV status is in effect.
“Tractors that might be out there, or people who are welding, blasting…using some logging equipment like skidders, feller-bunchers…chainsaws is one that comes to mind, because sometimes people have commercial firewood permits with national forests," says Caplan.
"And so we’re saying, ‘Nope, you can’t be collecting firewood at this point, because conditions are very dry.”
Caplan says the restrictions will be in place until steady, measurable rainfall cools down the region…usually in mid-October.
As for public use restrictions, Caplan says campfires are only allowed in fire rings or fireplaces in designated campsites…not out in the wilderness.
Copyright 2017, KLCC.
