Post by Wyldcomfort on Jul 3, 2007 7:28:26 GMT -5
North Cascade district enters fire season July 3
Wildfire season will begin on Tuesday, July 3, in the Oregon Department of Forestry’s North Cascade district. The declaration places restrictions on timber harvest activities in the forest. Loggers will be required to have firefighting equipment at their operation sites.
“Forest and wildland fuels are drier than is what is normally typical for this time of year,” Ken Cushman, Molalla Unit forester, said, emphasizing that "the large woody fuels are very dry right now. When it starts to warm up and the grasses and dead branches on trees begin to dry out as well, that is a dangerous combination for fire to be carried more readily into the heavier fuels. This can result in larger, more damaging fires."
The potential for a long, busy fire season is upon us, he said, noting that the National Weather Service’s long-term forecast is for a warmer and drier-than-average summer.
Molalla Unit Public Information Officer Jamie Paul underscored the wildfire concern, with particular emphasis on Fourth of July celebrations, asking that “everyone be safe and smart with fireworks. The use of fireworks is not permitted on most public lands, including State and National Forests, State Parks, riverbanks and beaches. Most private landowners will not permit firework use on their land as well, including the large timber companies."
Individuals can be held liable for any damages caused by the illegal or negligent use of fireworks. Paul advised that everyone be safe when enjoying fireworks this year, "We want everyone to have a great holiday celebration, but please be sure to have a responsible adult light fireworks, light only legal fireworks and soak all of your used fireworks in a bucket of water when they are done."
In addition to entering into fire season next Tuesday, the North Cascade District announced that a regulated-use closure on the Molalla River Corridor will go into effect on the same date. “Regulated use” does not prohibit people from entering the forest, but it places additional restrictions on activities there. These include:
a ban on use of fireworks; and,
a ban on open burning, including backyard, debris and slash burning as well as campfires and warming fires that are not within designated sites; and
restrictions on all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use, smoking, chainsaw use and mowing of dry grass.
Additionally, during a Regulated Use closure, the public must carry a shovel, fire extinguisher and water on any passenger or off-road vehicle, including ATVs and motorcycles while traveling on forestlands. Off-road vehicles are restricted to travel on improved roads, and only with landowner permission. Improved roads are paved or gravel roads only; no off-road travel is permitted.
The North Cascade district encompasses Clackamas and Marion counties and portions of Multnomah and Northern Linn counties.
More information on fire season and on fire prevention can be obtained by calling the North Cascade District office in Lyons, 503-829-2216, or the Molalla Unit office in Molalla, 503-829-2216.
Wildfire season will begin on Tuesday, July 3, in the Oregon Department of Forestry’s North Cascade district. The declaration places restrictions on timber harvest activities in the forest. Loggers will be required to have firefighting equipment at their operation sites.
“Forest and wildland fuels are drier than is what is normally typical for this time of year,” Ken Cushman, Molalla Unit forester, said, emphasizing that "the large woody fuels are very dry right now. When it starts to warm up and the grasses and dead branches on trees begin to dry out as well, that is a dangerous combination for fire to be carried more readily into the heavier fuels. This can result in larger, more damaging fires."
The potential for a long, busy fire season is upon us, he said, noting that the National Weather Service’s long-term forecast is for a warmer and drier-than-average summer.
Molalla Unit Public Information Officer Jamie Paul underscored the wildfire concern, with particular emphasis on Fourth of July celebrations, asking that “everyone be safe and smart with fireworks. The use of fireworks is not permitted on most public lands, including State and National Forests, State Parks, riverbanks and beaches. Most private landowners will not permit firework use on their land as well, including the large timber companies."
Individuals can be held liable for any damages caused by the illegal or negligent use of fireworks. Paul advised that everyone be safe when enjoying fireworks this year, "We want everyone to have a great holiday celebration, but please be sure to have a responsible adult light fireworks, light only legal fireworks and soak all of your used fireworks in a bucket of water when they are done."
In addition to entering into fire season next Tuesday, the North Cascade District announced that a regulated-use closure on the Molalla River Corridor will go into effect on the same date. “Regulated use” does not prohibit people from entering the forest, but it places additional restrictions on activities there. These include:
a ban on use of fireworks; and,
a ban on open burning, including backyard, debris and slash burning as well as campfires and warming fires that are not within designated sites; and
restrictions on all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use, smoking, chainsaw use and mowing of dry grass.
Additionally, during a Regulated Use closure, the public must carry a shovel, fire extinguisher and water on any passenger or off-road vehicle, including ATVs and motorcycles while traveling on forestlands. Off-road vehicles are restricted to travel on improved roads, and only with landowner permission. Improved roads are paved or gravel roads only; no off-road travel is permitted.
The North Cascade district encompasses Clackamas and Marion counties and portions of Multnomah and Northern Linn counties.
More information on fire season and on fire prevention can be obtained by calling the North Cascade District office in Lyons, 503-829-2216, or the Molalla Unit office in Molalla, 503-829-2216.