Officials with multiple federal land management agencies have implemented fire restrictions across Central Oregon's public lands — weeks earlier than in past years — citing warm temperatures, low relative humidity, and dry fuels that are creating fire conditions more typical of midsummer than late May.
What Is Banned and Where
Level 1 fire restrictions, which took effect May 18, apply to the Deschutes National Forest, the Ochoco National Forest, the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management, and the Crooked River National Grassland. Under the restrictions, open fires including wood fires, charcoal briquette fires, and fires in wood stoves are prohibited outside of designated campground fire pits. Off-road driving is also banned on closed areas, and smoking is restricted.
Campers can still use liquid-fueled and pressurized camp stoves throughout the affected areas. Campfires are still permitted in designated campground fire rings with established grates.
The Prineville BLM District also implemented its annual river corridor fire restrictions on May 13 — ahead of the Level 1 action — along sections of the Crooked, Deschutes, John Day, and White Rivers and some areas of Lake Simtustus and Lake Billy Chinook.
Much Earlier Than Normal
In previous years, campfire restrictions in the Ochoco and Deschutes national forests have typically gone into effect between mid-June and July. The Prineville District restrictions are also approximately two weeks ahead of their normal schedule. The early move underscores just how anomalous conditions are across the region.
"Things are dry. We've had an unusually warm spring," said Suzannah Burke, a representative for the Prineville BLM District. "Conditions are more favorable earlier than they were last year. And we've seen more fire activity earlier than we did last year."
Economic and Recreational Impacts
The early restrictions are already having ripple effects across the Central Oregon recreation economy. Campfire bundle sales at area firewood retailers are down, and resort owners say the loss of campfire experiences affects the appeal of glamping packages and cabin stays that attract visitors.
Kate Dunn, owner of Cultus Lake Resort in the Deschutes National Forest, said guests are generally understanding but noted that fire restrictions have a meaningful impact on the resort experience. Fire officials note that restrictions, while inconvenient, are a critical tool for reducing the risk of human-caused wildfires in a region with extremely dry fuels.
Looking Ahead
Both the Prineville District and the Deschutes National Forest have completed their spring prescribed burn programs. With low snowpack and the region entering what promises to be a very dry summer, fire managers expect restrictions to potentially intensify to Level 2 or higher — which would ban campfires entirely — as the season progresses.
Visitors to Central Oregon public lands this summer should check current restriction levels before heading out. Current restrictions are posted at centraloregonfire.org/fire-restrictions.