Fire Danger Raises Restrictions, July 24

Current fire danger has prompted the Coos Forest Protective Association (CFPA) to impose tighter restrictions for workers in some wildland areas. CFPA will place an Industrial Fire Precaution Level III (IFPL 3) on all private, county, state and Bureau of Land Management lands that fall within Regulated Use Areas CS-2, CS-5, SK-1 and SK-2 effective Friday, July 24th. Under IFPL 3, industrial operators are prohibited in performing the following: • Cable yarding – except that gravity operated logging systems with non-motorized carriages may operate before 1:00 p.m. and after 8:00 p.m. when all blocks and moving lines are suspended 10 feet above ground, except the line between the carriage and the chokers; • Power saws – except at loading sites and at tractor skidder operations before 1 p.m. and after 8 p.m. local time; In addition, the following are permitted before 1 p.m. and after 8 p.m.: • Tractor, skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder, or shovel logging operations where tractors, skidders, or other equipment with a blade capable of constructing fireline are immediately available to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start; • Mechanized loading or hauling of any product or material; • Blasting; • Welding or cutting of metal; • Any other spark emitting operation not specifically mentioned. Under the current Regulated Use Closure, use of non-industrial chainsaws is now prohibited in Regulated Use Areas CS-2, CS-5, SK-1 and SK-2. For further information on fire danger levels and closures, contact the CFPA 24-hour closure information line at (541) 267-1789 or access CFPA’s website at www.coosfpa.net.