BEND, Ore. – Fire officials on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville District BLM will reduce to Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions due to increased moisture and cooler temperatures.
Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, September 5, Public Use Fire Restrictions will be reduced to Stage 1. Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires, on Central Oregon public lands, except in the Deschutes National Forest Wilderness Areas and the following designated campgrounds:
Prineville District Bureau of Land Management
Castle Rock Campground, Chimney Rock Campground, Cobble Rock Campground, Lone Pine Campground, Palisades Campground, Poison Butte Campground, Post Pile Campground, Still Water Campground
Ochoco National Forest
Lookout Mountain Ranger District: Antelope Flat Reservoir, Ochoco Divide Campground, Ochoco Forest Campground, Walton Lake Campground and Wildcat Campground
Paulina Ranger District: Cottonwood Pit, Deep Creek Campground, Sugar Creek Campground, Wolf Creek Campground
Crooked River National Grassland
Haystack Reservoir Campground and Skull Hollow Campground
Deschutes National Forest
Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District: Big River Campground, Big River Group Camp, Bull Bend Campground, Chief Paulina Horse Camp, Cinder Hill Campground, Crane Prairie Campground, Cultus Lake Campground, East Lake Campground, Elk Lake Campground, Fall River Campground, Fall River Guard Station, Gull Point Campground, Lava Lake Campground, Little Crater Campground, Little Cultus Lake Campground, Little Fawn Campground & Group Camp, Little Lava Lake Campground, Mallard Marsh Campground, McKay Crossing Campground, Newberry Group Camp, North Twin Lake Campground, Ogden Group Camp, Paulina Lake Campground, Point Campground, Prairie Campground, Quinn Meadow Horse Camp, Quinn River Campground, Rock Creek Campground, Sheep Bridge Campground, South Campground, South Twin Campground, West South Twin Campground, Wyeth Campground
Crescent Ranger District: Crescent Lake Campground, Odell Lake Resort and Campground, Princess Creek Campground, Shelter Cove Resort and Campground, Simax Group Camp, Spring Campground, Sunset Cove Campground, Trapper Creek Campground, Whitefish Horse Camp, Windy Group Site
Sisters Ranger District: Allen Springs Campground, Allingham Campground, Blue Bay Campground, Camp Sherman Campground, Candle Creek Campground, Cold Springs Campground, Driftwood Campground, Gorge Campground, Graham Corral Horse Camp, Indian Ford Campground, Jack Creek Campground, Lava Camp Lake Campground, Link Creek Campground, Lower Bridge Campground, Lower Canyon Creek Campground, Perry South Campground, Pine Rest Campground, Pioneer Ford Campground, Riverside Campground, Scout Lake Campground, Sheep Springs Horse Camp, Smiling River Campground, South Shore Campground, Three Creek Meadow Campground & Horse Camp, Three Creek Lake Campground, Three Creek Meadow, Whispering Pines Horse Camp
Additionally, under Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions, smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
Traveling off developed roads and trails also is not allowed, except for the purpose of going to and from a campsite located within 300 feet of the open developed road. It is prohibited to possess or use a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads except when operating in compliance with travel management rules and the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).
Liquid and pressurized gas stoves, lanterns and fire pits with an on and off switch are allowed outside of designated campgrounds on all federal lands with the exception of BLM-administered lands along portions of the Crooked River, Deschutes River, John Day River, White River, Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus. These public use restrictions do not replace the BLM’s annual river corridor restrictions which were implemented May 13, 2026, and prohibit campfires, charcoal fires, or any other type of open flame, including portable propane campfires and wood pellet burning devices. Commercially manufactured lanterns and metal camp stoves used for cooking are allowed when fueled with bottled propane or liquid fuel and operated in a responsible manner.
Operating equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, specifically chainsaws and portable generators, is regulated under Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions. Chainsaw use is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., with usage allowed outside of this timeframe.
Saw operators must possess a long-handled round point shovel with an 8-inch blade (size 0) and a fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of ABC 8 oz. Additionally, a one-hour fire watch is required after ceasing saw operations. Generators are permitted when in an area cleared of all flammable materials within a 10-foot diameter and equipped with an approved spark arrestor.
Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device or using an explosive is always prohibited on National Forest System lands in Central Oregon and currently prohibited on BLM-administered lands in Central Oregon.
Information on current restrictions can be obtained by calling the Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737.
The fire danger rating is currently HIGH. High fire danger means that unattended fires are likely to rapidly spread.
Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information visit fire.airnow.gov.
Fire Season Isn’t Over When Summer Ends, BLM Warns
PORTLAND, Ore. – As Labor Day weekend approaches, the Bureau of Land Management is reminding visitors that wildfire season is far from over across Oregon and Washington.
More than 2.5 million acres have already burned across the Northwest this year, making 2026 an exceptionally active wildfire season. While temperatures may begin to cool and some areas may receive rain, fuels can remain dry and fire danger can change quickly. September can also bring periods of warm, dry and windy weather that increase the potential for rapid fire growth.
“Labor Day can feel like the end of summer, but it is not necessarily the end of fire season,” said Todd Forbes, acting BLM Oregon/Washington Associate State Director. “We are asking visitors to keep fire prevention in mind as they enjoy public lands this weekend. Conditions can change quickly, and one careless spark can have consequences for communities, wildlife, natural resources, and firefighters.”
The BLM has recently adjusted some closures and restrictions as local conditions change, allowing more opportunities for people to visit public lands. However, fire restrictions remain in effect across BLM-administered lands in Oregon and Washington, and additional local restrictions or closures may apply.
Restrictions vary by location based on fire danger, weather, and fuel conditions. Before traveling, visitors should check the latest information for the specific BLM District or recreation area they plan to visit.
“The best wildfire is the one that never starts,” said Josh O’Connor, Northwest Geographic Area Fire Chief for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. “This Labor Day weekend, we’re asking visitors to know the restrictions, understand the conditions and do their part to prevent human-caused fires.”
The following items remain prohibited on all BLM-administered public lands in Oregon and Washington:
• Fireworks and sky lanterns
• Exploding or metallic targets
• Tracer or incendiary devices
• Steel-core or steel-jacketed ammunition
For more information on seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, please see www.blm.gov/orwafire.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service conducts operations in close coordination with the Bureau of Land Management. As a unified federal entity under the Department of the Interior, the USWFS integrates expertise to streamline wildfire prevention, response and recovery under our shared mission to foster fire-resilient landscapes and safeguard communities across America’s public lands.
ODF asks public to remain aware and informed
Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) wants to remind Oregonians that even with the weather shifting, Oregon is still in fire season. Several ODF districts have updated their fire danger level and restrictions recently. However, even with the rain, fuels remain dry and warm weather is expected to return next week.
“Typically, Oregon’s fire season doesn’t end until mid-October, and as we know the weather can change very quickly,” said Michael Curran, ODF Fire Protection Division Chief. “We are still seeing new fire starts throughout the state and fire regulations remain in place.”
Remember that if you are responsible for starting a wildfire in Oregon, you are liable for suppression costs. Remain aware and informed by checking your local fire restrictions and fire danger levels.
Wildfire prevention means:
• Debris burning remains the number one cause of human-caused fires in Oregon and is prohibited during fire season. Cover your pile and wait until fire season is declared over before burning. A dry, covered pile is cleaner and safer to burn in the late fall and winter. Visit beforeyouburn.net for real-time updates on burning regulations and safe burning practices.
• Check local restrictions before lighting a camp or warming fire to see if it is allowed.
• Never leave your campfire or warming fire unattended.
• Make sure your campfire or warming fire is OUT COLD. That means drowning it with water, stirring the ashes, and repeating that process until it is cold to touch. If there is any heat coming off the embers, then it can reignite later.
• Don’t park your car over dried grass, and make sure your vehicle or ATV is regularly serviced.
• Make sure your tow chains are not dragging. The metal hitting asphalt while driving can throw sparks into dry grass on the side of the road.
Visit keeporegongreen.org for more wildfire prevention tips.
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