What does fire season mean for those working and playing in the Tillamook Forest?

With fire season beginning early Monday morning in the Tillamook Forest, what does that mean for those working, living, and playing here?

The bulk of the Tillamook Forest lies within zones 2 and 3 of the Northwest Oregon district of the Oregon Department of Forestry. Zone 1 includes small sections of the forest closest to the Pacific Ocean.

For those tiny pockets of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands in the Tillamook Forest, fire season has already been in place since May 27 along with all other BLM land in Oregon and Washington.

All zones are currently in “low” fire danger (for the general public) and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels I for those working in logging and other industrial contexts.

For the general public, here are some of the restrictions now in place in all three zones. View a map with more information here.

– Backyard debris burn permits are required

– Smoking is prohibited while traveling in forestlands, except in closed vehicles on improved

roads and other designated locations

– Fireworks are still not allowed on ODF-protected lands.

–  No exploding targets, tracer ammunition or sky lanterns

– Equip each power saw with a shovel and fire extinguisher or gallon of water

– Provide a 1-hour fire watch after the use of each power saw

– Cutting, welding or grinding must be done in a clear area with a water supply
For industrial forest users, follow fire season requirements. A fire watch is required unless a waiver is obtained during all levels at and higher than IFPL I.