Climate conditions suspend operations in 242 Fire area
National forests across the Pacific Northwest are tightening their fire restrictions. Each national forest determines their own regional fire precautions and danger levels based on climate, weather patterns and moisture content of the forest unit. These restrictions are to avoid human-caused wildfires.
Due to increased dryness and heat, as of July 29, the Klamath ranger district is moving to an Industrial Fire Precaution Level 4 and the Debris Management Task Force has suspended all hazard tree operations in the 242 Fire area until conditions improve. While we understand the importance of moving forward with cleanup as soon as possible, these precautions are put in place to avoid increasing the danger of further fires.
Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPLs) are stages that apply to work activities on United States Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management lands to reduce the risk of a wildfire starting from the operation. IFPLs are specific to permitted activities such as timber sales, service contracts and firewood cutting.
The fire precaution levels begin with Level 1 when fire season requirements are in effect and can go up to Level 4.
Level 1: A Fire Watch is required at Level 1 and all higher levels unless otherwise waived
Level 2: Limits time of day and type of operations that can take place
Level 3: Further limits operations based on type and time of day
Level 4: Prohibits all operations
Although the state and our contractors have secured waivers to continue operations with added safety precautions through IFPL 2 and 3, reaching Level 4 requires the Task Force to suspend operations.