Joint News Release
Bureau of Land Management, Medford District
USDA Forest Service, Rogue River - Siskiyou National Forest
Oregon Department of Forestry, Southwest Oregon District
Southwest Ore - As the weather continues to trend towards warming and drying, with triple digit heat predicted next week, officials with the Bureau of Land Management Medford District, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District are increasing campfire restrictions on those lands located within the boundaries of the Wild section of the National Wild and Scenic Lower Rogue River. The Wild section flows from Grave Creek to the mouth of Watson Creek.
Effective 12:01 a.m. on Monday, July 3, 2023, the building, maintaining, attending, or use of a fire is permitted only within a raised fire pan or similar device that will contain the fire and its residue, in an area that is free of natural vegetation, and below the high-water mark. All ashes must be carried out. As a preventative measure, groups traveling on the river must have a shovel and bucket.
Additionally, smoking is only permitted while on watercraft on waterways, or on vegetation-free sand and gravel bars located between the river and high-water mark.
The BLM administers the stretch of the river between Grave Creek and Marial, which is protected from fire by ODF Southwest. The Forest Service manages from Marial and downriver to the mouth of Watson Creek.
These restrictions apply both to those traveling down the river on a watercraft, as well as those hiking the Rogue River National Recreation Trail. Restrictions are designed to limit fire danger to the extent possible. Stage 1 restrictions will be in place until Nov. 30, 2023, unless rescinded before that date. Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1117624.pdf for additional information on restrictions. Thank you for recreating responsibly and doing your part to prevent human-caused fires!
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest will also move to a “High" Fire Danger Level and Stage 1 Public Use Restrictions across the forest, which includes the prohibition of campfires in designated recreation sites. Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1117656.pdf for additional information on restrictions. Industrial Fire Precautions will remain at a Level 1; operators are requested to maintain diligent attention to their operations.
Additional fire restrictions are expected to be put in place as fire season progresses. If you’re planning to recreate or utilize equipment on public lands this summer, please keep current regarding current fire safety notifications and regulations in southwest Oregon. Helpful sites include:
* The RRSNF Alerts and Notices page
* The BLM OR/WA Fire Restrictions Page
* Follow the BLM, RRSNF and ODF on Facebook
* Follow the BLM, RRSNF and ODF on Twitter
* The SW Oregon ODF blog.
Thank you for helping minimize human-caused fire starts on public & state protected lands!
Source: Bureau of Land Management