Sisters sheriff’s calls...

It’s later than usual, but fire season is upon us in the Sisters area.

The 2006 fire season for the private forestlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in the Sisters area went into effect on Saturday, June 24, at 6 a.m., according to Central Oregon District Forester Bob Young.

Burning permits are now required for outdoor burning on department-protected lands in Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties except within those rural fire districts where burn bans may already exist.

ODF does not issue burning permits within these rural districts at any time during the year.

In addition, fire tools, water supply, and a watchman service are now required on logging operations conducted on private lands protected by ODF, Young explained.

He advised logging operators to contact their local ODF stewardship forester for details.

“We have had a lot of rain and snow this past winter and spring, but with the recent sunny and warm days, the fuels are starting to dry out to a point that I think it’s important to provide fire prevention coverage by going into fire season,” Young told ODF personnel throughout his district.

The Central Oregon District stretches from Sisters to John Day and from The Dalles to La Pine.

Because fire prevention regulations vary between private and public forests as well as geographic locations, he urged forest visitors to check with local fire agencies before using any fire or power-driven equipment in the forests.

Late spring rains resulted in this year’s fire season starting over three weeks later than the June 1 date of last year.