A fire reported early on July 10, 2024, has burned about 115 acres just east of Huntington.

VALE — The Vale District of the Bureau of Land Management is adding new fire restrictions to help reduce the number of human-caused fires on the district, which includes BLM-managed public land in Northeastern Oregon.

The restrictions, which take effect July 12, apply to the Baker and Malheur resource areas and to Bureau of Reclamation lands around the Owyhee Dam.

Open fires of any sort will be banned. Campers and other visitors can use liquefied and bottle-gas stoves and heaters within an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable materials.

Operating a motor vehicle off existing routes or on roads where dried vegetation may touch the undercarriage is also prohibited, as is the use of chain saws or blow torches, or cutting, grinding or welding metal.

Vale District firefighters have responded to, or assisted other agencies with, 20 wildfires on public and private property in Eastern Oregon.

After lightning, equipment fires, including vehicle fires, are the most common cause of wildfires on the Vale District.

“We highly recommend proper maintenance and cautious safe operation of your vehicle when visiting or driving through your public lands,” said Al Crouch, fire mitigation specialist for the Vale District. “It’s always a wise practice to avoid parking or driving on dry grass.”

Visitors can also help prevent fires by:

• Maintaining engines to prevent sparks from shooting out the exhaust. Motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles used on public lands must be equipped with a properly functioning and approved spark arrestor.

• Ensuring vehicle and trailer tires are not worn, bearings and axles are greased, and safety chains are properly in place and not dragging on the ground.

• Parking in areas barren of flammable materials.

• Carrying a shovel at least 26 inches in length with at least an eight-inch blade, and a one-gallon container of water or a fully charged 2.5-pound fire extinguisher.

Prohibitions against the use of fireworks, tracer and incendiary ammunition, and exploding or metal targets on public lands have been in place across the Oregon/Washington BLM region since May 24.

Anyone found guilty of violating a fire prevention order faces significant fines and/or imprisonment plus restitution for total cost of fire suppression and rehabilitation.

Copies of these restrictions are available to the public at Vale District offices; posted at federally managed campgrounds, developed recreation sites and kiosks throughout the district; and online at https://on.doi.gov/3zs2otL.

Any and all wildfire starts on public or private land should be reported by calling 911. For more information about current fire restrictions within the Vale District, go to www.blm.gov/office/vale-district-office or call 541-473-3144.