Grants Pass Moves to High Fire Alert with Crackdown on Sparks, Campfires, and Outdoor Equipment
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — The Grants Pass Fire & Rescue Fire Marshal has elevated the fire danger level to High (yellow) due to the current extended periods of high temperatures, which have dried out vegetation. The yellow alert starts at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow.
Grants Pass Fire Danger Levels Increase
The yellow fire danger level requirements may be modified or waived by the City Fire Marshal or an authorized representative in writing, but currently, the Grants Pass yellow fire danger level bans:
- Smoking in areas of flammable vegetation
- Open wood-fueled fires (excluding wood smokers, charcoal barbecues, and propane or natural gas-fueled ornamental fires), including cooking fires, campfires, and warming fires, except at locations designated by the Fire Marshal.
- The use of power-driven equipment, grinding, cutting metal, and other spark-emitting equipment, such as wood splitters and generators (excluding mowing green lawns but including dried, cured grass) in areas of flammable vegetation between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Power saws between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Outside these hours, a fire watch of at least one hour is required following the use of the saw. Additionally, each power saw must have one shovel and one fire extinguisher with a minimum capacity of 8 ounces.
- The use of any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine in areas of flammable vegetation between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. At other times, this equipment must be used in a cleared area with one 2 ½-pound or larger fire extinguisher or a charged garden hose immediately available.
- Motor vehicles (including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles) are permitted on all roads, except those improved roads that are free of flammable vegetation, excluding those used for the cultivation and harvesting of agricultural crops.
The City of Grants Pass Fire Prevention Division can be contacted at 541-450-6200 for more information on Fire Season regulations.