The Siuslaw National Forest implemented open fire restrictions Thursday, a move that means all campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires or any other open fires are currently prohibited outside of designated campgrounds.
The restrictions will remain in place until further notice.
“The Coast Range is experiencing historically dry conditions with no measurable rainfall since early May,” Northwest Oregon Interagency Fire Management Officer Kevin Reese said in a news release. “We’ve seen an uptick in human-caused fire starts this summer and we have taken this step to help reduce preventable wildfires.”
Exemptions are in place for sand camping campfires in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Sand Lake Recreation Area. Portable cooking stoves and lanterns using liquefied or bottled fuel are allowed since they can be instantly switched off.
Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building or a developed recreation site, officials said. Generators are permitted only in places devoid of vegetation such as paved areas or developed campsites.
In addition, motorized vehicles may operate only on designated trails and roads. Offroad and off-trail driving is permissible within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area or Sand Lake Recreation Area as designated by the Siuslaw National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map.
As restrictions change, information will be available on the Siuslaw National Forest website.