Rain helps ease fire restrictions in Southern Oregon

MEDFORD, ORE. — The little bit of rain we saw overnight is helping ease fire restrictions.

While the fire danger level remains at “extreme”, the Oregon Department of Forestry is alowing the use of power equipment.

The public may now use power-driven equipment, such as chain saws and brush cutters, in the cool morning hours until 10:00 a.m., at which time power-driven machinery must be shut down. Equipment use may resume after 8:00 p.m.

This regulation change also applies to other power-driven, spark-emitting equipment, such as wood splitters and generators. In all cases, a fire extinguisher or water supply must be available at the work site, and a fire watch of at least one hour must take place after equipment is shut down.

The cutting, welding or grinding of metal must also shut down between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and may only take place in an area cleared of vegetation and other flammable material. A water source must be at the job site and a one-hour fire watch must be conducted after shut down.

In Douglas County, the Douglas Forest ProtectiveAssociationhas dropped the fire danger from extreme to high.

“Effective immediately, all land protected by DFPA will reduce to Industrial Fire Precaution Level Three (IFPL III).

The Public Use Restrictions for the general public remains in effect, but the following changes have been made: Open fires, including campfires, warming fires, cooking fires, and charcoal fires are allowed in DFPA approved campgrounds.

Open fires remain prohibited outside of designated campgrounds.The mowing of dry grass with power driven machinery is allowed before 10:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m.”