Southwest Oregon firefighters responded to four fires in four days in the midst of warming temperatures

By Ashland.news staff

The fire danger level on 1.8 million acres of land in Jackson and Josephine counties will increase from “low” to “moderate,” on Saturday, June 7, six days after the 2025 fire season’s official declaration, according to an Oregon Department of Forestry news release.

“Hot temperatures and windy conditions for the past couple of weeks have prompted vegetation to dry at a slightly faster rate,” the release said. This, in combination with the weather conditions, have contributed to new fire starts and growth.”

ODF firefighters responded to four fires in the course of four days and quickly stymied their growth, with none exceeding a half acre. According to the ODF Southwest Facebook page, the sites and sizes of the fires include:

• 3900-block of Galice road, one-tenth acre
• 500-block of Squaw Mountain road, one-quarter acre
• 10400-block of Williams Highway, one-fifth acre
• 2900-block of Jump Off Joe Creek, half acre

“With temperatures predicted to reach the threshold of 100 degrees and potential thunderstorms in the forecast this weekend, fire danger will be increased to moderate and new regulations will go into effect,” the news release says.

New public fire restrictions will include:

• Open fires are prohibited, which includes campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at locations deemed a designated campground. Portable cooking stoves or firepits using liquefied or bottled fuels are still allowed in areas clear of vegetation;
• Chainsaws may not be used between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate 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 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate 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 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. This restriction does not include mowing of green lawns, or equipment used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops;
• Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, will be allowed only on improved roads free of flammable vegetation. One shovel and one gallon of water, or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher, is required while traveling.
• 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 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher. As noted above, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles must be equipped with one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.
• Any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine use not specifically mentioned is not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate 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.

Regulations already in effect prior to the looming fire danger increase included:

• No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
• No fireworks on or within 1/8 of a mile of ODF-protected land. Fireworks not allowed on BLM-managed lands.
• Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.
• Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations.
• 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.

Visit swofire.com for more information.