𝙁𝙄𝙍𝙀 𝘿𝘼𝙉𝙂𝙀𝙍 𝙇𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙇 𝙄𝙉𝘾𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙏𝙐𝙀𝙎𝘿𝘼𝙔: Fire Danger Level Increases to Extreme in Jackson and Josephine Counties
JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (August 10, 2025) – Due to dry vegetation, fire behavior, and consistent hot and windy conditions, the fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Jackson and Josephine counties will increase to “extreme” (red) at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. These regulations impact 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management lands protected by ODF’s Southwest Oregon District. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will remain at two (2).
Beginning Tuesday morning at 12:01 a.m., the following public fire restrictions will take effect:
• The use of power saws is prohibited, excluding electric chainsaws.
• The cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited.
• The mowing of dry or dead grass is prohibited. This includes lawnmowers, weed eaters, and any other type of grass-trimming equipment. The mowing of green lawns is allowed at any time.
• The operation of any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine not specifically mentioned above is prohibited.
The following fire prevention regulations are currently in effect and will remain in effect until the fire danger level drops significantly:
• Debris burning, including the use of burn barrels, is prohibited
• Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except in approved fire rings at designated campgrounds. In other locations clear of dry vegetation, portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.
• Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, and designated locations.
• Fireworks on or within 1/8th of a mile of ODF-protected land are prohibited. Fireworks are also prohibited on all BLM lands.
• Any electric fence controller in use shall be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and operated in compliance with the manufacturer’s fire-safe instructions.
• The use of exploding targets is prohibited.
• The use of tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base is prohibited.
• Motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, may only be used on improved roads free of flammable vegetation, except when used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.
• Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher. All-terrain vehicles and motorcycles must be equipped with one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher.
The US National Weather Service Medford office has issued an Extreme Heat Warning across southern Oregon, in effect now through Wednesday at 2 a.m. due to triple digit temperatures up to 110 degrees. These conditions, in combination with dry vegetation, naturally promote fire growth. Be aware of the increased risk and prevent fires by following the current regulations, found here: https://swofire.com/public-fire-restrictions
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District’s fire season regulations, visit our website, www.swofire.com

• No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels

• No fireworks on or within 1/8th of a mile of ODF-protected land. Fireworks are prohibited on all BLM land

• Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited

• Campfires are allowed only in designated campgrounds. Portable stoves or fire pits using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used in other locations that are clear of dry vegetation at all times

• Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain, are allowed only on improved roads; one shovel and one gallon of water, or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher, is required while traveling

• Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations

• Chainsaws may not be used between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. during high fire danger. During hours outside of this time frame, chainsaws may be used but require that the operator have one shovel and one 8-oz or larger fire extinguisher at the work site. A fire watch is also required for one hour after each chainsaw use

• Cutting, grinding, and welding of metal is not allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. during high fire danger. These activities will be allowed during hours outside of this time frame only if the work site is cleared of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials, and a water supply is at the job site

• The mowing of dead or dried grass with power-driven equipment is not allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. during high fire danger, including equipment powered by gas, electricity or batteries. This restriction does not include mowing of green lawns, or equipment used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops

• Any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine-use not specifically mentioned is not allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. during high fire danger. Use of any spark-emitting internal combustion engine is allowed outside of this time frame only if the work site is cleared of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials, and a water supply is at the job site

•Any electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, and be installed and used in compliance with the fence controller’s instructions for fire safe operation

For industrial operations, under IFPL II (Two) – limited shutdown, which is entirely separate from all public fire restrictions, the following may operate after 8 p.m. and up until 1 p.m. daily:

• Power saws, except at loading sites

• Feller-bunchers with rotary head saws

• Cable yarding

• Blasting

• Welding, cutting, or grinding of metal

A two hour fire watch is also required. For more information about current fire regulations, visit our website at https://swofire.com