Fire alert level rises

The Deschutes National Forest moved to an Industrial Fire Precaution Level II effective July 22. The Ochoco National Forest is also on heightened alert.

This level is known as partial hoot owl. Industrial operations such as timber sales and service contracts will be allowed to operate only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m.

Personal-use and commercial woodcutting is allowed at this level between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. only.

Extremely dry and warm weather has caused the curing of grasses and fine fuels, the most flammable types of wildland vegetation.

"Most fires start in grass, dry forbs and brush, then advance to the larger fuel types," according to Steve Lent, Deputy Fire Staff Officer for the Ochoco National Forest and Prineville Bureau of Land Management.

"This spring's rains produced a bumper crop of grass, forbs and brush which is now becoming highly flammable," he said.

Visitors to public lands should be extremely careful when using fire, smoking outdoors, or driving and parking over high grass and brush.

Abandoned campfires are the leading cause of person-caused fires in the West, according to fire officials.

For information on restrictions call: 1-800-523-4737.