Fire season is tightening its grip on Central Oregon. Effective at 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 20, all wilderness areas within the Deschutes National Forest will fall under Stage 1 public use fire restrictions, expanding the rules already in place across the broader region.

The affected wilderness areas include Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Three Sisters, Diamond Peak, and Mt. Thielsen. For Jefferson County residents and visitors, the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness is particularly relevant — it sits along the county's western boundary and draws hikers, backpackers, and hunters throughout the summer season.

What Stage 1 Restrictions Mean for You

Under Stage 1, the following are prohibited across affected national forests and BLM lands unless you are in a designated campground with an approved fire ring:

  • Open wood, biomass, twig, and charcoal fires
  • Smoking except inside an enclosed vehicle or building, or while stopped in an area fully cleared of flammable material within a three-foot radius
  • Traveling off developed roads and trails (except to reach a campsite within 300 feet of an open road)
  • Possession or use of any fireworks or pyrotechnic devices on National Forest land (always prohibited)
  • Chainsaw use between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. (operators must also carry a round-point shovel and fire extinguisher, and conduct a one-hour fire watch after stopping)

What IS still allowed: Liquid and pressurized gas camp stoves, lanterns, and fire pits with an on/off switch are permitted outside designated campgrounds on most federal lands. Always check site-specific rules before lighting anything.

Camp Sherman and the Metolius Corridor

Several campgrounds along the Metolius River in the Sisters Ranger District — including Allen Springs, Camp Sherman, Perry South, Pioneer Ford, Riverside, and Smiling River — are designated sites where campfires remain permitted in established fire rings. Visitors should confirm conditions at individual campgrounds before building a fire, as restrictions can change quickly.

Also note: BLM-administered river corridors including portions of the Deschutes River and Lake Billy Chinook operate under separate annual restrictions that prohibit campfires, portable propane fires, and open flames of any kind along the shoreline.

Extreme Danger — The Highest Level

The fire danger rating across Central Oregon is currently extreme — the highest classification on the scale. Conditions mean that new fire starts are likely to spread rapidly with high intensity.

"Extreme fire danger means all wildfire starts are potentially serious. Fires quickly start and spread burning with a high intensity." — Central Oregon Fire Information

Stage 1 restrictions remain in place for the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Crooked River National Grassland, and the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management. Wilderness areas on the Ochoco National Forest and Prineville BLM are also already covered.

For the latest fire restrictions, visit centraloregonfire.org or call the Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737. To report a wildfire, call 9-1-1. For smoke and air quality information, visit fire.airnow.gov.