Central Oregon's fire season is officially underway. As of 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, May 18, Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions went into effect across the Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland, and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management lands.

The restrictions were triggered by a combination of above-average temperatures, low relative humidity, and predicted winds that have rapidly dried out vegetation across the region. Fire managers are currently rating fire danger as High — a level at which unattended fires are likely to spread rapidly.

What Stage 1 Prohibits

  • Open fires, including wood stoves and charcoal briquette fires, on public lands outside of designated campgrounds
  • Smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, at a designated campground, or in an area at least three feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable material
  • Traveling off developed roads and trails (except to reach a campsite within 300 feet of an open road)
  • Chainsaw use between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Liquid and pressurized gas stoves, lanterns, and fire pits with an on/off switch are allowed outside of designated campgrounds on National Forest and most BLM lands — with the exception of BLM river corridors along the Deschutes, Crooked River, John Day, White River, Lake Billy Chinook and Lake Simtustus, where annual campfire restrictions have been in effect since May 13.

Local Campgrounds Still Open for Fires

Campfires remain allowed in the following designated campgrounds in and around Jefferson County and the Sisters Ranger District:

  • Allen Springs, Allingham, Blue Bay, Camp Sherman, Candle Creek, Cold Springs, Driftwood, Gorge, Indian Ford, Jack Creek, Lower Bridge, Perry South, Pine Rest, Pioneer Ford, Riverside, Scout Lake, Smiling River, South Shore campgrounds, and others
  • Haystack Reservoir and Skull Hollow Campgrounds (Crooked River National Grassland)

Jefferson County Burn Ban Already in Place

Open burning within Jefferson County — including residential yard debris burning — has been prohibited since sunset on May 3, 2026, under a county-level burn restriction issued by Jefferson County Fire and EMS. That ban remains in effect and is separate from the federal public lands restrictions.

Residents and visitors are reminded that fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest lands and are currently also banned on BLM lands throughout Central Oregon.

To report a wildfire, call 9-1-1. For current fire restriction information, call the Central Oregon Fire Use Information Line at 1-800-523-4737 or visit centraloregonfire.org.