Sunriver Emergency Alert System

Sunriver is not under threat from any of the fires currently burning in Oregon.

Public Use Restrictions on campfires expands to Wildernesses. All lands on the Deschutes National Forest now covered

Central Oregon. - Beginning Saturday at 12:01 a.m. public use restrictions will limit the building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, including a charcoal fire, except at campfire rings established by the Forest Service at posted, developed and designated campgrounds (see attachment).

These public use restrictions are needed to protect public health and safety as well as natural resources because current fuel conditions caused by extended drought present an extreme fire risk. In addition, fire suppression resources are being depleted by extensive wildfire activity across the western United States. Though public use restrictions have been in place across most of the Deschutes National Forest since June 24, 2020 the order beginning on Saturday will include all national forest lands in wildernesses on the Deschutes National Forest. 

As a reminder, the public use restrictions also apply to the following activities:

• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 

• Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. 

• Using an explosive. 

• Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine in violation of Industrial Fire Precaution directives (IFPL), to include personal use firewood permits and campfire wood.

• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either: - U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or - Appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a). 

•  Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame. 

• Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System Roads. EXCEPT when operating in compliance with travel management rule and the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).

Petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices, provided such devices meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety can be used.

BLM fire restrictions

Extreme fire activity, fueled by a rare fire weather event with low humidity and strong east winds of 15 to 30 mph and gusts up to 50 mph, occurred on several fires located in western Oregon this week. To prevent human-caused fire and reduce wildfire potential, the Bureau of Land Management has instituted several closures and new fire-use restrictions.

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Campfires and open flames are prohibited on BLM-administered lands. Under these restrictions, campfires or any other type of open fire, including the use of charcoal briquettes, is prohibited on BLM-administered lands. Visitors can use portable cooking stoves that use liquefied or bottled fuels.