Fire Danger "Extreme"

The Oregon Department of Forestry says the fire danger will climb to "extreme" in Jackson and Josephine Counties as of midnight.

ODF list the following public use restriction changes in effect starting tomorrow:

-- Chain saw use will not be allowed between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. During other hours, users must have an ax, shovel and fire extinguisher on-site, and provide a one-hour fire watch after using the saw.

-- Mowing dry grass will be disallowed between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (except for agricultural purposes, such as cutting hay).

-- Cutting, grinding or welding metal will be disallowed between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. During other hours, a water supply must be present at the work site and work may proceed only in a cleared area.

-- Any electric fence controller in use shall contain a listing from a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, and be operated in compliance with manufacturer instruction for firesafe operation.

The following public use restrictions remain in effect:

-- All open burning of debris is prohibited. This includes burn barrels.

-- Fireworks are prohibited, except in cleared areas such as green lawns and driveways.

-- Camp fires are allowed only in designated campgrounds. This restriction includes charcoal-fired barbecues; however, stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.

-- Vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, are not allowed on unimproved roads.

-- Smoking is allowed only in a vehicle and only while on an improved road.

Fire restrictions will also change in the Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River. The Oregon Department of Forestry protects the section between Grave Creek and Marial, and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest protects the section between Marial and Watson Creek. These restrictions take effect Tuesday:

-- Smoking will be prohibited except in boats on the water, and on naturally vegetation-free gravel bars and sand bars below the river's high-water mark.

-- Open fires will be prohibited, including camp fires, charcoal briquette fires, cooking fires and warming fires. However, portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels will be allowed on naturally vegetation-free gravel bars and sand bars below the high-water mark. Ashes must be carried out.

-- Travelers must carry a shovel and bucket (one-gallon size).

-- Fireworks will be prohibited.

Fire restrictions on the Rogue River may change so please check with the Smullin Visitor Center located at the Rand National Historic Site at (541) 479-3735 or your local Forest Service office.

For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry's fire season regulations, contact the unit office in your area:

-- Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. Phone: (541) 664-3328

-- Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Drive, Grants Pass. Phone: (541) 474-3152