Public Use Closure

 

Under ORS 477.535 to 477.550, the Forester can proclaim a “Public Use Closure” on all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

All lands protected by the South Cascade District and all forestlands within on-eighth of a mile are under this Public Disclosure (Regulated Disclosure) when the proclamation is put into affect.

1. No Smoking – Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, and at designated locations.
2. No Open Fires – Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires, and warming fires, except in designated campgrounds.  Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.
3. Non-Industrial Chainsaw Use – Chainsaw use is permitted all day during low fire danger (GREEN), before 1:00 pm and after 8:00 pm during moderate fire danger (BLUE), and before 10:00 am and after 8:00 pm during high fire danger (YELLOW).  The use of power saws is prohibited during extreme fire danger (RED).  Each power saw is required to have one shovel and one fire extinguisher of at least 8 ounce capacity.  A Fire watch of at least one hour is required following the use of each saw.
4. Motorized Vehicles Off Road – Motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all terrain vehicles, are only allowed on improved roads free of flammable vegetation, except for the culture and harvest of agricultural crops.
5. Require Equipment – Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads, and driveways:  one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2 1/2 pound or larger fire extinguisher.  All-terrain vehicles and motorcycles must be equipped with one 2 1/2 pound or larger fire extinguisher.
6. No Fireworks – Use of fireworks is prohibited.
7. Cutting, grinding, and welding of metal is permitted all day during low fire danger (GREEN), before 1:00 pm and after 8:00 pm during moderate fire danger (BLUE), before 10:00 am and after 8:00 pm during high fire danger (YELLOW) as long as it is conducted in a cleared area and has a charged garden hose or one 2 1/2 pound or larger fire extinguisher immediately available.  This activity is prohibited during extreme fire danger (RED).
8. Mowing dried cured grass with power driven equipment is permitted all day during low fire danger (GREEN), before 1:00 pm and after 8:00 pm during moderate fire danger (BLUE), before 10:00 am and after 8:00 pm during high fire danger (YELLOW), and is prohibited during extreme fire danger (RED).  The culture and harvest of agricultural crops is exempt from this requirement.
9. All electric fence controller in use shall: 1) be listed by nationally recognized laboratory or certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, and 2) Operated in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions.
10. Any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine not specifically mentioned when conducted in a clear area and charged garden hose or one 2 1/2 pound or larger fire extinguisher is immediately available is permitted all day during low fire danger (GREEN), before 1:00 pm and after 8:00 pm during moderate fire danger (BLUE), and before 10:00 am and after 8:00 pm during high fire danger (YELLOW).  This activity is prohibited during extreme fire danger (RED).
11. Aside from these restrictions, also prohibited throughout fire season is backyard debris burning, the use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition.