News and Announcements
Central Oregon Public Lands Move to Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) IV “General Shutdown”
Change due to extremely dry conditions and significant local fire activity
Central Oregon – Due to continued hot weather, extremely dry vegetation and significant local fire activity, the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will move to Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) IV “General Shutdown” on Thursday, July 25 [2024].
Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, July 25, all industrial operations are prohibited on public lands. Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) are based on current and expected fire conditions. Fire precaution levels begin with Level I at the start of fire season and can increase to Level IV as the fire danger increases. It is the responsibility of the individual operating on public land to know the precaution level for the day and to take the correct fire precautions.
Find more information about the Industrial Fire Precaution Level system here. Information on the IFPL or current restrictions can be obtained by contacting the Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737.
As a reminder, all Central Oregon public lands are in Stage 2 public use fire restrictions which prohibit open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires on all Central Oregon public lands including developed campgrounds and Wilderness areas.
Possessing, discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic devise 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.
The fire danger rating is currently EXTREME. The Fire Danger Rating System lets recreational users and visitors to public lands know to increase their level of caution while in the forests or rangelands. Under EXTREME conditions, fires of all types start quickly and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious and can spread very quickly with intense burning.
Information on current restrictions or the current Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) can be obtained by contacting your Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737.
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.
Cell Service Update
[July 2, 2022] Announced at the summer meeting on July 2nd, 2022: An AT&T 5G cell tower is due to go online Fall (perhaps September) of 2022. It is possible that other carriers will be available on the tower at a later date. For more information on this, and other updates regarding broadband at Camp Sherman, see www.campshermanfiber.com/ .
NFH-Endorsed Cabin Insurance Program
[July 6, 2018] Insuring your cabin is one of the most important things you can do to protect your investment. Information on this program is now available on the NFH-Endorsed Cabin Insurance Program page.
Cabin Fee Act - 2014
Cabin Fee Act Passed by Congress! (content from the NFH Website) National Forest Homeowners and Cabin Coalition 2 are proud to announce that on December 12, 2014, the U.S. Senate passed the Cabin Fee Act along with dozens of other lands bills as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Having passed the House on December 4, the bill was signed into law by President Obama on December 19, 2014. This success brings permanent and very welcome permit fee relief to cabin owners all across the country. Ring those bells and break out the champagne!
This milestone achievement coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Recreation Residence Program on National Forest lands. Passage of the Cabin Fee Act ensures the continuation of the Cabin Program for generations to come with stable permit fees, increased only inflation, while also protecting the value of cabin-owner improvements.
Noxious Weeds
[NOTE: Here is a 2023 update on the Invasive Species program from the Forest Service]
When compared to much of Oregon the Metolius Basin boasts plant communities that are mostly free of noxious, invasive weeds. Scotch broom is here but in small scattered sites, then there are the knapweeds, St John’s wort and Dalmatian toadflax. But along the river are two species that have brought up concern: yellow iris and ribbon grass. They both occur mostly along the upper Metolius, starting in Tract C and running through Tract O and pretty much petering out above Bridge 99. Both grow along the river’s edge and up the bank if the soil is wet enough.
They both out compete native riparian plants. Once the islands on the Metolius supported a variety of flowering plants; now many islands are becoming monocultures of ribbon grass. Yellow iris is an exotic that is pushing out natives too. Yellow iris is a native of Europe. Ribbon grass, an ornamental variety of reed canary grass, is extremely invasive. It came to someone’s attention in 2000 but was probably introduced here long before that, maybe by some well meaning person who wanted to grow a decorative plant.
The Forest Service has completed an Environmental Impact Statement that addresses invasive plants. The Sisters Ranger District is planning a control action this year. The Friends of the Metolius have tried control measures on private land and on the island below the Camp Sherman bridge. There is no silver bullet; control will be difficult and controversial.
There continue to be questions and concerns in regard to weed mitigation. The Metolius River is home to several endangered and threatened species. The best way to get involved is to become educated on what effect spreading weeds or their removal may have on the Metolius River and its inhabitants. Contact MRFHA Board for more information.
Weed information provided by Pete Schay