ODF announces Regulated Closures for Fire Season

Effective 12:01 am on July 01,2024 the following are prohibited under this regulated closure:

  • Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads.
  • Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and
    warming fires, except in designated areas. The use of portable appliances such
    as camp stoves and fire pits using liquified or bottled fuels are allowed in clear
    areas free of flammable vegetation. The following is required where open fires
    and appliances are allowed; one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2 ½
    pound fire extinguisher.
  • Chainsaw use is prohibited, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
    Chainsaw use is permitted at all other hours, if the following firefighting
    equipment is present with each operating saw: one axe, one shovel, and one
    operational 8 ounce or larger fire extinguisher. In addition, a fire watch is
    required at least one hour following the use of each saw.
  • Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited between the hours of 1:00
    p.m. and 8:00 p.m. At all other times the area is to be cleared of flammable
    vegetation and the following fire equipment is required: one axe, one shovel, and
    one operational 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher in good working order.
  • Use of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, is
    prohibited, except on improved roads and except for vehicle use by a landowner
    and employees of the landowner upon their own land while conducting activities
    associated with their livelihood.
  • Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling in a
    motorized vehicle, except on federal and state highways, county roads and
    driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one operational 2½ pound or
    larger fire extinguisher, except all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles which must be
    equipped with an approved spark arrestor in good working condition.
  • Mowing of dried grass with power driven equipment is prohibited, between the
    hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., except for the commercial culture and harvest
    of agricultural crops. The use of battery or electric powered string trimmers are
    exempt from this requirement.
  • Use of fireworks is prohibited.
  • Blasting is prohibited.
  • Any electric fence controller in use shall be: 1) Listed be a nationally recognized
    testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business
    Services; and 2) Operated in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions.
    Aside from these restrictions, also prohibited throughout fire season is backyard debris
    burning, the use of exploding targets and tracer ammunition.