FIRE SEASON COMES TO AN END OCTOBER 12TH

Fire officials with the Douglas Forest Protective Association and Umpqua National Forest will officially end fire season on their respected lands Thursday, October 12th, at 12:01 a.m. The end of fire season is a result of cooler temperatures and rainfall returning to the area.With the end of fire season, all Industrial Fire Restrictions and Public Use Restrictions on DFPA protected land and the Umpqua National Forest will no longer be in effect. Backyard debris burning outside of incorporated cities will be allowed without a permit from DFPA, however, residents should contact their local fire department before conducting any burning as fire restrictions vary between local fire districts.

Despite the end of fire season, fire officials advise residents to exercise caution when burning or using fire in the woods. Even outside of fire season, several days of sunshine and dry weather can create a fire risk even if a week or more of rainy, cool conditions precedes them. When burning yard debris, make sure to have an adequate fire trail around the pile or incinerator and never leave the burn unattended. Campfires are now allowed on public lands or private property with landowner permission, but should be fully extinguished before leaving. Should a debris pile or campfire escape, the responsible party may be financially responsible for damages and fire suppression costs.

The only type of burning requiring a permit is for industrial logging slash and heavy debris disposal burning. Any type of commercial tree harvesting that requires excess debris to be burned constitutes industrial logging slash and therefore requires a permit to burn.

To request a permit for industrial slash burning, call DFPA at 541-672-6507.Fire staff with the Douglas Forest Protective Association and the Umpqua National Forest would like to thank everyone for their cooperation during the 2017 fire season.re. You can insert images and videos by clicking on the icons above.