If you are planning a camping trip this weekend or heading out to a recreation spot on public lands, be aware: campfires will be banned across a wide swath of Central Oregon public lands starting at 12:01 a.m. Monday, May 18.

Fire managers from the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland, and the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management announced Friday that Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions would take effect on Monday — weeks earlier than in most recent years — due to above-average temperatures, low relative humidity, and predicted winds.

What Stage 1 Means for You

Under Stage 1 restrictions, open fires — including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires — are prohibited on all affected public lands, with the exception of designated developed campgrounds. Campfires are also still permitted within designated Deschutes National Forest Wilderness areas, including the Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Three Sisters, Diamond Peak, and Mt. Thielsen Wildernesses.

Gas stoves, propane lanterns, and fire pits with an on/off switch are still allowed outside of designated campgrounds on most federal lands — except along BLM-administered river corridors, where stricter rules already apply (see below).

Additional Stage 1 rules include:

  • Smoking is prohibited except inside an enclosed vehicle or building, or while stopped in a cleared area at least three feet in diameter
  • Chainsaw use is prohibited between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Operators must carry a shovel and fire extinguisher and conduct a one-hour fire watch after stopping
  • Off-road travel is prohibited except to reach campsites within 300 feet of an open developed road
  • Fireworks and explosives are always prohibited on National Forest lands and currently prohibited on BLM lands in Central Oregon

Designated Campgrounds Where Fires Are Still Allowed

The following campgrounds on BLM's Prineville District are designated sites where campfires remain permitted under Stage 1: Castle Rock, Chimney Rock, Cobble Rock, Lone Pine, Palisades, Poison Butte, Post Pile, and Still Water campgrounds.

On the Crooked River National Grassland, Haystack Reservoir Campground and Skull Hollow Campground are also designated sites. The Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests have dozens of additional designated campgrounds — check with the Sisters or Bend-Fort Rock Ranger Districts for a full list.

Fire Danger Is High

The current fire danger rating for Central Oregon is "High," meaning unattended fires are likely to rapidly spread. Officials are pointing to record-low snowpack and an unusually warm, dry winter as factors driving conditions that typically don't arrive until July.

"We are increasingly concerned that 2026 could rival the most extreme years on record for heat and dryness," said Jeff Fedrizzi with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. "Even one small spark can lead to a costly and destructive fire."

The Oregon Department of Forestry declared fire season in its Central Oregon District — covering Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, and surrounding counties — on May 8. Residents in those counties must now obtain permits before burning yard debris on private property. Visit beforeyouburn.net to check local restrictions before lighting anything.

Violations Carry Steep Penalties

Violating Stage 1 fire restrictions can result in fines up to $100,000, jail time, or liability for the full cost of firefighting efforts — potentially millions of dollars. The BLM notes that escaped debris burns remain the leading cause of human-caused wildfires in Oregon, with 23 burns already escaped statewide this year.

For the latest fire restriction information, call the Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737, or visit centraloregonfire.org. Report wildfires by calling 9-1-1.