ODF PROHIBITS DEBRIS BURNING THROUGHOUT WALLOWA COUNTY DURING REGULATED CLOSURE

All debris burning, including use of burn barrels, is banned throughout Wallowa County effective today, July 31, the start of a "regulated closure" declared by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The regulated closure is intended to reduce the chance of a wildland fire, according to Matt Howard, ODF's assistant Wallowa Unit forester.

Other regulations now in effect include:


Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited. 
For landowners and/or their employee(s) thereof, conducting activities associated with their livelihood, cutting, grinding and welding is prohibited between the hours of 1 and 8 p.m.

Use of fireworks is prohibited.

Smoking in wildland areas is permitted only in enclosed vehicles on roads or inside buildings.

Camping, cooking or warming fires are prohibited, except in designated areas. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are permitted at all locations.

Off-road driving and motorized vehicles on unimproved roads is prohibited.

Possession of a shovel at least 26 inches long and a 2 lb fire extinguisher or filled gallon water container is required while traveling in a mortorized vehicle, except on state and county roads.

Chainsaw use is prohibited between the hours of 1 and 8 p.m.