Fire danger update

[Gus Orviston]

I also rememeber when they initially went to fire danger high, a lot of people here complained and with in 2 weeks there were several decent fire in the coast.
gus

**note from stephanie at ODF***
I’ve gotten a lot of calls asking if it’s okay to have campfires out in the forest. I know it’s been damp and chilly, but despite the recent rains, we are not out of the woods yet as far as Fire Season 2008. This is illustrated by the attached press release about the 15+ acre Cherry Grove #2 Fire that started yesterday. Cherry Grove is just south of Forest Grove / Hagg Lake.

In the Tillamook State Forest all fire restrictions listed below are still in effect. I will keep you updated on any changes.

Thanks for your help in preventing forest fires.

Recreation Coordinator
Tillamook State Forest
801 Gales Creek Road
Forest Grove, OR 97116

http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/TSF/Recreation.shtml

REGULATED USE GENERAL RESTRICTIONS - EFFECTIVE MONDAY, JULY 14TH, 2008

·Each vehicle entering the Tillamook State Forest is required to carry a shovel with an 8 inch blade and that is at least 26 inches long from the tip of the blade to the end of the handle. (All four-wheel drive vehicles using OHV trails are required to carry this while on the trails.)

·Each vehicle entering the Tillamoook State Forest is required to carry either 1 gallon of water or a 2.5 pound fire extinguisher. (All four-wheel drive vehicles using OHV trails are required to carry this while on the trails.)

·CAMPFIRES - Campfire regulations are listed below. If you are not 100% sure you are in an area where campfires are permitted, please ask and Oregon Department of Forestry employee before you start your campfire.

·Campfires are only permitted in the metal fire grates installed by the Department of Forestry in designated campgrounds (Reehers Camp, Gales Creek, Browns Camp, Elk Creek, Jones Creek, Jordan Creek, Nehalem Falls) or in designated campsites where the Department of Forestry has installed metal fire grates and has posted the site as a "Designated Camping Area". (Such as the campsites along Cedar Creek).

·Campfires are not permitted in Lyda Camp, at the stock pile area near Browns Camp, or in any other dispersed / remote campsite without a “Designated Camping Area” sign - even if there is a rock ring at the site.

·Charcoal BBQs are prohibited outside of designated campgrounds(Reehers Camp, Gales Creek, Browns Camp, Elk Creek, Jones Creek, Jordan Creek, Nehalem Falls.)

·In dispersed / remote campsitesor if backpacking camping, only propane and gas stoves or propane or gas BBQs are permitted.

·All motorcycles and quads in use in the designated OHV areas on the Tillamook State Forest must have a USFS approved spark arrestor. (Motorcycles and quads do not have to carry shovels, water or fire extinguishers while in operation on the OHV trail network.)

·Smoking of cigarettes, cigars, or pipes is only permitted in the areas described above where campfires are allowed AND in the closed cab of your vehicles. (That means topand doors on and windows rolled up).

·Fireworks (even sparklers) are prohibited forest wide.

·Tiki torches are prohibited forest wide.

·Welding, arc / torch cutting or grinding of metal is prohibited forest wide.

A waiver is in effect for the OHV trail networks in the Browns Camp, Jordan Creek, Diamond Mill, and Trask areas so the trails remain open. We will keep you posted if that changes for any reason.

[Twitchs_Tackle]

What about chainsaw use? I tried looking that one up yesterday (for Benton co.) I have a log truck load of firewood that needs to get cut up, its in a pasture by the house.

[Smoked Salmon]

Your best bet is to call either your local RFPD or local ODF office and ask that question.

If it was me, I would cut until 1pm and then split for several hours. That way I could spot anything changing from spark to smoke, and respond with water.

[Twitchs_Tackle]

Originally Posted by Smoked Salmon

Your best bet is to call either your local RFPD or local ODF office and ask that question.

If it was me, I would cut until 1pm and then split for several hours. That way I could spot anything changing from spark to smoke, and respond with water.

Thats been my understanding as well, but looking into it, it looks like closure for chainsaws 'period' after July 14th. Its in my yard man, comm'on! (and I was a firefigher for 9 years, I would think I could have it covered!)

[Smoked Salmon]

Most closures apply only to commercial operations, where a fellow leaves the woods and no one is around for 14+ hours. A home operation is a little different, especially if you monitor it diligently.