[Sheila Oliver]

Increased Fire Danger Heading Into Labor Day Weekend
With this weekend comes hotter and dryer weather.
The National Weather Service – Pendleton calls for hot, dry temps with low, low humidity and breezy conditions. Winds increase on Sunday. These conditions will create a potential for large and costly wildfires. We are asking every property owner and guest to help by taking every precaution to prevent accidental fire starts that could easily escalate to a larger wildfire.

Our crews have been working especially hard this summer to quickly catch all fire starts, particularly in areas near subdivisions. All fires this year within our district were kept less than a ¼ acre.
This year Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch has recorded 191 human-caused fires compared to 93 human-caused starts in 2019. Overall, 2020 has seen the highest number of human-caused starts in the past five years.
You can help reduce the threat of fire by following the following regulations and guidelines.

What is banned?
Open Fires. Campfires/bonfires that burn anything other than gas. BBQ’s that burn solid fuel like charcoal briquettes, wood or lump charcoal, and briquette fuel based smokers. This also prohibits the use of other devices that produce open flame such as tiki lamps.

Off-Road riding is banned.

NO SMOKING outside of vehicles, outside a building, Smoking must be done in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. ie, beach or in the water. Never throw a lit cigarette from a moving vehicle.

Don’t drive your vehicle onto dry grass or brush. Hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start fires that you won’t even see – until it’s too late! Park only in designated parking areas or over non-flammable surfaces (such as graveled or dirt areas), and never in tall grass.

Spark arresters are required on all portable gasoline-powered equipment. This includes tractors, and generators. Generators should be placed in a pick-up bed or in a 10’x10’ clear area in mineral soil.
Carry a Fire Extinguisher in Your Vehicle and Learn How to Use It.

Secure your trailer chains. Dragging chains throws sparks. Use appropriate safety pins and hitch ball to secure chains. Brakes worn too thin may cause metal to metal contact, which can cause a spark.

No Fireworks

Chainsaws, Cutting, grinding and welding is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Firefighting equipment and a 2 hour fire watch are required.

What is allowed?
Outdoor gas devices including campfires, gas fire pits, gas BBQ’s, pellet burning devices. Make sure the area around your gas device is free of all debris and combustible material.

ALL Open Flames will be restricted during Red Flag days.

For complete list of fire restrictions and regulations please visit http://www.lakechinookfireandrescue.org/fireregs/fire_restrictions.EXTREME.php

Have a safe and happy Labor Day.

Copyright © 2020 Lake Chinook Fire & Rescue, All rights reserved.
Since you are within the Lake Chinook Fire District, you are eligible for this grant.

Our mailing address is:
Lake Chinook Fire & Rescue
11700 SW Graham Rd
Culver, Or 97734

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