The Coos Forest Protective Association announced today that fire season will officially begin at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 11th. The start of fire season activates restrictions on both public and industrial forest use on all private, county, state and Bureau of Land Management lands as well as rural fire districts within CFPA’s protection boundaries. The start of fire season means the end of unregulated outside burning for rural Coos, Curry and western Douglas County residents. The outside burning of debris piles and the use of burn barrels will be prohibited until fire season is terminated. Residents within an incorporated city should call their local departments for burning restriction and permit details. Under new Oregon law, the use of tracer ammunition and exploding targets is prohibited during fire season. Industrial fire regulations will also go into effect. Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) 1 prohibits smoking while working on or traveling through an industrial operation. Specified fire tools and suppression equipment must be maintained at all operations. A fire watch is also required at all industrial operation sites unless waived or modified in writing by a Fire Warden. Anyone cutting firewood must have an 8-oz. fire extinguisher and a shovel. Power saws must be equipped with an approved screen. As fire season progresses, additional closures and restrictions may be imposed as weather conditions become more severe. For further information, contact the CFPA Closure Information Line at (541) 267-1789 or visit their website at www.coosfpa.net.
