MEDFORD, Ore. — Oregon’s forestry department for Southwest Oregon today is lowering the area’s wildfire danger risk level.

For Jackson and Josephine counties, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest District (ODF) says weekend rain and “fall-like weather” allow it to ease some public fire prevention regulations on lands it protects.

It says “effective Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 12:01 a.m., the public fire danger level will decrease to “low” (green) on ODF-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties.”  The Industrial Fire Precaution Level stays at 1.

ODF reminds that during low fire danger risk level, fire prevention regulations that remain in effect include:

• “No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
• No fireworks on or within 1/8 of a mile of forestlands.
• Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.
• Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations.
• Any electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, and be installed and used in compliance with the fence controller’s instructions for fire safe operation.”

ODF says the industrial fire precaution level 1 keeps fire season requirements in effect in addition to requiring a Firewatch at this level and all higher levels unless otherwise waived.

More information about ODF Fire Season regulations is available with a call or visit to the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest to you:

• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point – (541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants Pass – (541) 474-3152

Other ODF fire season information is online at http://www.swofire.com, @ODFSouthwest and @swofire.