BEND, OR -- Deschutes County is imposing public use fire restrictions, due to the ongoing risk of wildfire. County Forester Kevin Moriarty says the emergency declaration is for county-owned property and lands outside a fire protection district. "Smoking would be prohibited, open fires are prohibited, chainsaw use would be prohibited between the hours of 1 and 8 pm, including a one-hour fire watch and including firefighting equipment. Cutting, grinding, welding would also be prohibited between the hours of 1 and 8 p.m. Use of motor vehicles, including motorcycles would be prohibited, except on improved roads." 

Restrictions remain in place until October 15, 2024.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Jason Wall says even parking on dry brush can spark a fire, "Obviously it’s very hot, very dry, humidity is very low. A hot vehicle sitting on top of some dry grass could cause some problems." He tells KBND News the danger is especially high on undeveloped lands outside Bend, where DCSO has increased patrols, "We’ve tried to alleviate some of the pressures in some of these other areas, namely China Hat and Juniper Ridge." He adds, We have equipped those vehicles with portable water, pressurized pumps, so that if in the event a fire were to start and we’re able to get there quicker than fire personnel, we might have a fighting chance of knocking it down before it gets too out of control." Wall adds, "Now granted, it’s a small amount of water when you’re talking about a wildfire, but sometimes if we can get it put out quickly with water, or maybe a shovel - sometimes just shoveling a line around something can help out fire personnel who show up with all the big tools."

County Forester Moriarty says imposing local restrictions should help, "Considering that the Oregon Department of Forestry has imposed their order and federal lands, including the Forest Service and BLM, has moved their IFPL rating to two, which is a very similar restriction, it seems proper that we do so, as well." The Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville District of the BLM announced Thursday they would move into Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) III on Monday, and increase public use restrictions to Stage Two. See below for details.