SLCFR News

EFFECTIVE AUGUST 10, 2021 THE CITIES OF COTTAGE GROVE AND CRESWELL AS WELL AS WESTERN LANE WILL BE MOVING TO "EXTREME FIRE DANGER" DUE TO THE TEMPERATURES REACHING TRIPLE DIGITS THIS WEEK.

"We protect life, property and the environment through quality service"

2021 Fire Season/ Fire Danger Update

August 4, 2021

Hello,

We have been fielding many phone calls about fire danger and now we have the smoke coming into the area. The smoke is mostly from the fires around us in Douglas County and the Oakridge area. Lighting over the weekend produced a lot of new fire starts but the District currently has no fires within our boundaries.

Fire Danger

The Fire Danger messaging is a little confusing at the moment because we are operating based on "High" in some areas and "Extreme" in others. Most of this has to do with the two separate Oregon Department of Forestry Districts. Please consider the following information for the actual fire danger in your area. Please also keep in mind, SLCFR does not regulate industries such as logging.

City of Cottage Grove: "High"

This includes areas within City limits and those areas within the urban growth boundary not covered by ODF.

City of Creswell: "High"

This includes areas within City limits and those areas within the urban growth boundary not covered by ODF.

Western Lane ODF: "High"

Those areas outside the City limits of Cottage Grove and Creswell that are West of I-5 and within the protection boundary for Western Lane-ODF. These may include jointly protected areas for SLCFR and Western Lane-ODF.

Eastern Lane ODF: "Extreme"

Those areas outside the City limits of Cottage Grove and Creswell that are East of I-5 and within the protection boundary for Eastern Lane-ODF. These may include jointly protected areas for SLCFR and Eastern Lane-ODF.

If you would like more information on the Fire Danger levels for ODF please visit https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx

Stay Safe,

John Wooten

Fire Chief

THERE WILL BE NO BOARD MEETING FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST.

South Lane County Fire and Rescue will be holding a Regular Board Meeting July 15th at 7:00pm at 233 E. Harrison Ave Cottage Grove, OR 97424.

There will be an Executive Session Pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(i) Performance Evaluations of Public Officers and Employees.

Today marks the first day of fire season where the Fire Danger has increased from Low to Moderate.

The following restrictions apply within the City of Cottage Grove, City of Creswell, and any lands within the SLCFR District boundaries, not protected by the Western or Eastern Lane Districts of ODF. 

 Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, and other designated locations.

 Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at locations where fire pits are present. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed. Briquette use is allowed in barbeques, but is restricted to use on hard, non-flammable surfaces such as patios, driveways, gravel, or green irrigated lawns. 

 Power saw use is permitted all day during low fire danger (GREEN), before 1:00 p.m. and after 8 p.m. during moderate fire danger (BLUE) and before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. 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 Firewatch of at least one hour is required following the use of each saw.

 Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is permitted all day during low fire danger (GREEN), before 1:00 p.m. and after 8 p.m. during moderate fire danger (BLUE), before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. during high fire danger (YELLOW) as long as it is conducted in a cleared area and has a charged garden hose or one 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher immediately available. This activity is prohibited during extreme fire danger (RED). 

 The mowing of dried, cured grass is permitted all day during low fire danger (GREEN), before 1:00 p.m. and after 8 p.m. during moderate fire danger (BLUE), before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. 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. 

 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.

 Use of illegal fireworks is prohibited at all times, and in any location within the District. Legal firework use is permitted in areas free of dried, cured grasses, brush, or trees unless prohibited in areas jointly protected by SLCFR and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). Generally and where permitted, firework use is only permitted on asphalt, concrete, or gravel and a charged garden hose or one 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher is immediately available. 

Fire Danger Adjective Class is as follows:

Low = Green: Activity permitted all day 

Moderate = Blue: Activity permitted until 1:00 p.m. and after 8:00 p.m. 

High = Yellow: Activity permitted until 10:00 a.m. and after 8:00 p.m. 

Extreme = Red : Activity prohibited