Fire Season Is Over, Fire Prevention Never Ends, Oct. 15

Coos Forest Protective Association (CFPA) has lifted fire season on lands they protect effective Tuesday, October 14, 2014. Fire season is ended when the fire danger reduces enough that a prudent person’s actions have a low threat of causing a wildfire. It does not mean that there is no danger of wildfire. CFPA had several fires last winter in December and January that burned more than 750 acres. Causing a wildfire outside of fire season can have the same liabilities as causing a fire during fire season. For the public, the end of fire season effects: • Burn permits: CFPA does not require a permit for burning household paper or yard debris outside of fire season. However, city and rural fire departments may still require a permit. Not being required to have a burning permit does not release you of responsibility for your burn. Clearing above and around your burn, having fire fighting tools available and attending your burn is still required. Plastics and anything causing a dense or noxious smoke are not legal to burn. • Campfires: On your land or on public land that allows them, campfires are ok if you first clear around and above the area, stay in attendance of the fire and completely extinguish it before you leave. A campfire on the land of someone else requires their permission. Industrial land owners don’t generally allow campfires on their lands. • Smoking is allowed in the forest however, discarding of burning material is not allowed. • Vehicles can travel off improved roads where it is allowed. They are not required to have fire tools and a fire extinguisher with them, but it is still a good practice. • Power saw use and cutting of dry grass has no time restrictions. The end of fire season eases restrictions on activities that often start fires but does not relieve a person of responsibility for their actions. CFPA is available for advice on safe burning or to answer any fire prevention questions. You can contact CFPA at 541-267-3161 or visit their web-page at www.coosfpa.net.