Safe Use of Public and Private Lands During Fire Season

September is National Emergency Preparedness Month. In the coming weeks, we’ll tell you how to compile a 72-hour emergency kit for you and your family. But with all the fires raging in the Pacific Northwest, now is the perfect time to highlight ways to avoid causing a wildfire.

Whether you live in the country or just enjoy the great outdoors as a hunter or hiker, it’s our collective duty to do what we can to protect public and private lands. Below are a few of the ways you can minimize the possibilities of starting a fire on your property or when you’re out hunting on public lands.

In the Country

• Remove or lock-up flammable materials.
• Talk to your family or hired-hands about fire safety.
• Make plans on how to evacuate livestock.
• Enforce a strict “no smoking” policy in barns, around machinery, and in fields.
• Ensure all fire extinguishers are in good working order and keep one in all farm vehicles and machinery.
• Keep vegetation at least 50-feet from barns and other building (however, some regions may ban field                    cutting).
• Ensure exhaust systems (manifolds, mufflers) are not leaking.
• Avoid parking hot machinery on or near any vegetation.
• Do not use welders, grinders, or cutting torches near any vegetation.
• Cure hay before stacking and storing.
• Comply with all state and local burning regulations.
• Don’t burn on high wind days or during hot and dry conditions.

In the Suburbs/City

• Keep your roof free of combustible materials, cleaning out gutters and removing tree debris.
• Comply with all state and local burning regulations.

For Campers, Hikers, and Hunters

Regions throughout Washington and Oregon are under high fire danger. Be sure to take extra care when venturing out into public lands, whether you’re hiking, hunting, or just enjoying some time in nature.

Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Visit www.dnr.wa.gov for up-to-date restrictions and policies.

Northwest Region (including Skagit County)

All outdoor burning is banned, including campfires and use of charcoal briquettes.

Olympic Region (including Clallam County)

All outdoor burning is banned, including campfires and use of charcoal briquettes.

South Puget Region (including King County)

All outdoor burning is banned, including campfires and use of charcoal briquettes.

Southeast Region (including Chelan and Yakima Counties)

All outdoor burning is banned, including campfires and use of charcoal briquettes. Additionally, all fireworks and incendiary devices (exploding targets), sky lanterns, and tracer ammunition are banned.

Oregon Department of Forestry
Visit www.oregon.gov/ODF for up-to-date restrictions and policies.

Central Oregon District (including Deschutes and Wasco Counties)

No mowing of dry grass or running power equipment between 10 am and 8 pm. Burn permits required. Campfires and smoking are only allowed in designated areas. No fireworks, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or sky lanterns are permitted. Off road driving is not permitted. Additionally, all vehicles must carry a shovel and fire extinguisher or gallon of water. ATV's and motorcycles must be equipped with a fire extinguisher.

North Cascade District (including Multnomah County)

No mowing of dry grass between 10 am and 8 pm. Burn permits required. Campfires and smoking are only allowed in designated areas. No fireworks, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or sky lanterns are permitted. Off road driving is not permitted. Additionally, all vehicles must carry a shovel and fire extinguisher or gallon of water. ATV's and motorcycles must be equipped with a fire extinguisher.

Mt. Hood National Forest (including Clackamas County)

All campfires and target shooting prohibited. Smoking only allowed in designated areas. No fireworks, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or sky lanterns are permitted. Off road driving is not permitted. Additionally, all vehicles must carry a shovel and fire extinguisher or gallon of water. ATV's and motorcycles must be equipped with a fire extinguisher.

Forest Grove District (including Washington and Yamhill Counties)

Debris burn permits required. No power equipment. Campfires and smoking are only allowed in designated areas. No fireworks, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or sky lanterns are permitted. Off road driving is not permitted. Additionally, all vehicles must carry a shovel and fire extinguisher or gallon of water. ATV's and motorcycles must be equipped with a fire extinguisher. No wood burning devices in temporary dwellings (tens, trailers).

North Cascade District (including Marion and Linn Counties)

All electric fences must be UL approved. No mowing of dry grass or running power equipment between 10 am and 8 pm. Burn permits required. Campfires only allowed in designated areas. No blasting from 1 pm to 8 pm. No fireworks, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or sky lanterns are permitted. Off road driving is not permitted. Additionally, all vehicles must carry a shovel and fire extinguisher or gallon of water. ATV's and motorcycles must be equipped with a fire extinguisher.

South Cascade District (including Lane County)

No debris burning. Smoking and campfires only allowed in designated areas. No fireworks, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or sky lanterns. No mowing of dry grass. No power saw use. No cutting, welding, or grinding. All electric fences must be UL approved. Additionally, all vehicles must carry a shovel and fire extinguisher or gallon of water. ATV's and motorcycles must be equipped with a fire extinguisher.

Douglas FPA District (including Douglas County)

No debris burning. Smoking and campfires only allowed in designated areas. No fireworks, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or sky lanterns. No mowing of dry grass. No power saw use. No cutting, welding, or grinding. All electric fences must be UL approved. Additionally, all vehicles must carry a shovel and fire extinguisher or gallon of water. ATV's and motorcycles must be equipped with a fire extinguisher.

Southwest Oregon District (including Jackson County)

No debris burning. Smoking and campfires only allowed in designated areas. No fireworks, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or sky lanterns. No mowing of dry grass. No power saw use. No cutting, welding, or grinding. All electric fences must be UL approved. Spark emitting, internal combustion engines prohibited. Additionally, all vehicles must carry a shovel and fire extinguisher or gallon of water. ATV's and motorcycles must be equipped with a fire extinguisher.

Klamath-Lake District (including Klamath County)

Professional welding, cutting and grinding are only allowed between 8 pm and 1 pm when a shovel and fire extinguisher is present. No debris burning. Smoking and campfires only allowed in designated areas. No fireworks, exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or sky lanterns. No power saw use from 1 pm to 8 pm. No cutting, welding, or grinding. All electric fences must be UL approved. Additionally, all vehicles must carry a shovel and fire extinguisher or gallon of water. ATV's and motorcycles must be equipped with a fire extinguisher.

Stay Prepared at Coastal

You’ll find the equipment and camping gear you need at your Northwest Owned and Operated Coastal Farm & Ranch. Stop by today and pick up a few extra fire extinguishers and anything else you might need during the peak fire season.