Jefferson County residents heading outdoors this summer need to know that the Oregon Department of Forestry has had the region under a Regulated Use Closure since 12:01 a.m. on Monday, May 18 — and the restrictions remain in force with no announced end date.

The closure covers the ODF Prineville Unit, Fossil Sub-Unit, and Sisters Sub-Unit, which together protect Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Jefferson, and Wheeler counties. ODF issued the order early after describing fire conditions in mid-May as more typical of mid-June.

What the Closure Bans

  • No campfires, including charcoal fires, cooking fires, and warming fires, except in designated areas. Portable camp stoves and bottled-fuel appliances are allowed in clear areas free of vegetation.
  • No fireworks — including all types, anywhere in the protected area.
  • No blasting.
  • Chainsaw use banned between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Outside those hours, a fire watch and safety equipment are required.
  • No off-road driving by motorcycles or ATVs except on improved roads, or by landowners on their own property for livelihood activities.
  • No backyard debris burning for the duration of fire season.
  • Exploding targets and tracer ammunition are also prohibited.

Required Equipment

Anyone traveling by motorized vehicle in the closure area (except on state highways, county roads, and driveways) must carry either a shovel and one gallon of water, or a 2½-pound fire extinguisher.

Why It Matters Now

The Tmsh Fire, burning near the Highway 26 corridor on the Jefferson County-Warm Springs boundary, ignited June 7 — a reminder that fire season is already well underway. An earlier vegetation fire on June 4 prompted Level 3 evacuations in Warm Springs before being contained the same evening. The Seagull Fire near Warm Springs in May also prompted evacuation alerts this spring.

"Central Oregon is currently in High fire danger due to warm, dry, windy conditions," ODF said in the order. Fire weather typically worsens through July and August.

Report Fires Immediately

If you spot a wildfire, call 911 immediately. For current restriction maps and fire status, visit oregon.gov/odf or use the ODF Public Fire Restrictions map at gisapps.odf.oregon.gov. Watch Duty is also available as a real-time wildfire tracking tool.