*CRITICAL* Sections 1-3: High Fire Danger – Travel Restrictions in Effect

With extreme heat in southern Oregon, restrictions around Hart Mountain Refuge and Lakeview BLM are now in place. A representative has shared the following:

• All motorized vehicles – including vehicles and ORUVs and motorcycles – must comply with the attached Public Use Restriction regulations while operating on Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in Oregon and Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada. The restrictions apply to all Lakeview District Bureau of Land Management administered lands as well (Lakeview Interagency Fire Center (scofmp.org)). Failure to comply may result in civil or criminal penalties.

  Conditions in this part of the state are Extreme and risk to wildfire is significant.  Please educate your riders to operate responsibly and be prepared when visiting.  Thank you for protecting these natural areas.

• Click HERE to learn more about current closures and restrictions/requirements.

• See attached Public Use Restrictions (PUR) sheet for rules and regulations.

• We realize it would be nearly impossible for a motorcycle to meet these requirements. As such, Section 1 of the ORBDR should be considered CLOSED until further notice to protect this fragile landscape in a critical time.

Please read this notice from our local representative:

• • Currently we are in extreme fire danger with Fire Prevention Orders in place on the the entire Lakeview District.
    I have had several questions lately about fire danger levels, fire extinguishers, shovels, water, axes related to our public use restrictions (PURs), do you need to carry all of this stuff and can we substitute, or can we pile it all in a chase vehicle, or spread it out amongst the group. The answer is pretty clear, every vehicle must carry the required equipment stated in the PURs, that includes motorcycles, and they must meet the stated requirements in the PURs.
    Questions about the Element E50 Fire extinguishers came up to replace the 1 gallon of water or 2.5 lb fire ABC fire extinguisher. Our fire manager said that these would not meet the current requirements in the PURs.
    A foldable shovel that can extend to 26″ and is at least 8″ wide will work. You must have an axe 26″ long with at least a 2 pound head. You must carry a container of at least 1 gallon of water filled to capacity or a 2.5 pound ABC fire extinguisher fully charged.
    Operating any type of motorized vehicle except on roadways clear of flammable vegetation and parking of vehicles off roadways not barren of flammable material is prohibited during extreme fire danger. Most of the BDR roads in Sections 1, 2 and 3 have vegetation and would need to be avoided during extreme fire danger.
    Federal PURs may be different and more strict than the State of Oregon ODF restrictions. It is up to you to know and follow the PURs for the land you will be riding on. The best website to check for the most up to date fire restrictions for sections 1, 2 and 3 is the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnerships’ website.

    https://scofmp.org/restrictions.shtml
    Fire resources are stretched very thin right now and your help is needed to make sure we get through the fire season without another major incident. If at all possible, postpone your trip until the area is out of extreme fire season, or re-route your trip to avoid areas with vegetation and follow all PUR’s and closures.