Riddle Fire Protection District

05/27/2026

DFPA NEWS RELEASE:

FIRE SEASON BEGINS MAY 30, 2026.

The Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) has announced that the 2026 fire season will officially begin Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 12:01 AM. All private, county, state, and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) land within the Douglas District are included in the fire season declaration. On private, county, state, and BIA lands, certain fire restrictions are imposed to help prevent wildfires.

In addition to the declaration of fire season, the DFPA will implement Public Use Restrictions Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 12:01 am on private, county, state, and BIA lands within the Douglas District. The public use restriction level will be set to LOW, which imposes certain fire restrictions on the public to help prevent wildfires.

Public use restrictions will be assessed and announced later for the Umpqua National Forest and the Roseburg District BLM. These fire prevention restrictions are put in place to ensure fire-prone activities do not start wildfires.

For more information on the Umpqua National Forest restrictions, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/umpqua/fire.

For further information on BLM-managed lands, please visit https://www.blm.gov/orwafire.

The following fire prevention measures will be in effect on private, county, state, and BIA land within the Douglas District:

• Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, boats on the water, and other designated locations.
• Backyard debris burning, including the use of burn barrels, is prohibited.
• Open fires, including campfires, cooking, and warming fires, are prohibited except at designated sites.

Douglas County Parks designated sites: Amacher Park, Douglas County Fairgrounds, Pass Creek Campground, Stanton Park, Chief Miwaleta Campground, and Whistler’s Bend Campground.
Private Campgrounds: Seven Feathers RV Resort and Umpqua Riverfront RV Park & Boat Ramp.

• Charcoal and pellet BBQs are only allowed at fully developed and maintained residential home sites when used in areas that are free of flammable vegetation. A charged garden hose or a 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher must be immediately available. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed elsewhere.

• The use of fireworks, exploding targets, and tracer ammunition is prohibited. In addition, the use of sky lanterns is prohibited year-round in Oregon.
• Motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, are only allowed on improved roads that are free of flammable vegetation. This restriction is waived on private lands during low fire danger or when vehicles are used for the culture and harvest of agricultural crops. In addition, each vehicle with three or more wheels traveling on forest roads must have an axe, a shovel, and one gallon of water or one operational 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher. Motorcycles must be equipped with one gallon of water or one operational 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.

• Any electric fence controller in use shall be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services and be operated in compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The following restrictions are based on the official fire danger for the Douglas District, which can be found online at www.dfpa.net or by calling DFPA’s 24-hour information line at (541) 672-0379:

• The use of power saws for non-industrial purposes is allowed all day during LOW fire danger. This activity is permitted before 1:00 PM or after 8:00 PM during MODERATE fire danger and before 10:00 AM or after 8:00 PM during HIGH fire danger. During Extreme fire danger, non-industrial power saw use is prohibited. Each power saw is required to have a shovel and a fire extinguisher of at least 8-ounce capacity immediately available. In addition, a one-hour fire watch is required following the use of each saw. On BLM-managed lands in the Roseburg District, the use of non-industrial power saws or other equipment with internal combustion engines used for felling, bucking, skidding, or wood cutting is prohibited.

• The cutting, grinding, or welding of metal for non-industrial purposes is allowed all day during LOW fire danger. This activity is permitted before 1:00 PM or after 8:00 PM during MODERATE fire danger and before 10:00 AM or after 8:00 PM during HIGH fire danger. During EXTREME fire danger, the cutting, grinding, or welding of metal is prohibited. These activities can only be conducted in an area free of flammable vegetation and a charged garden hose or a 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher must be immediately available. The cutting, grinding, or welding of metal is prohibited on BLM-managed lands in the Roseburg District.

• The cutting, trimming, or mowing of dried, cured grass is allowed all day during LOW fire danger. This activity is permitted before 1:00 PM or after 8:00 PM during MODERATE fire danger and before 10:00 AM or after 8:00 PM during HIGH fire danger. During Extreme fire danger, the cutting, trimming, or mowing of dried or cured grass is prohibited. The culture and harvest of agricultural crops are exempt from this requirement.

• Any non-industrial improvement or development taking place on private property that utilizes power-driven machinery may operate all day during LOW fire danger. These activities are permitted before 1:00 PM or after 8:00 PM during MODERATE fire danger and before 10:00 AM or after 8:00 PM during HIGH fire danger. During EXTREME fire danger, these activities are prohibited unless a waiver has been issued. Each piece of power-driven machinery working is required to have a shovel and a 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher. In addition, a fire watch is required for at least one hour once the equipment has completed work for the day.

• The agricultural use of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, on unimproved roads for tending to livestock (feeding and watering) is allowed all day during LOW fire danger. This activity is permitted before 1:00 PM or after 8:00 PM during MODERATE fire danger and before 10:00 AM or after 8:00 PM during HIGH fire danger. During EXTREME fire danger, this activity is permitted. If the relative humidity in the work area is ABOVE 30%. The vehicle must be operated in an area where the exhaust will not contact flammable vegetation, and it must be well-maintained and free of flammable debris buildup. Additionally, the vehicle MUST be equipped with an axe, a shovel, and either 1 gallon of water or a 2.5-pound or larger ABC fire extinguisher. ATVs must have a 2.5-pound or larger ABC fire extinguisher.

• The use of Fuel-powered generators may be operated in a cleared area free of flammable vegetation all day during LOW fire danger. The use of a generator is permitted before 1:00 PM or after 8:00 PM during MODERATE fire danger and before 10:00 AM or after 8:00 PM during HIGH fire danger. During EXTREME fire danger, these activities are prohibited unless a waiver has been issued. The use of generators at residential homesites, when used in a cleared area that is free of flammable vegetation, is exempt from time restrictions. One shovel and one 2 ½ pound or larger ABC fire extinguisher must be immediately available.

The declaration of fire season also means the start of industrial fire regulations. On Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 12:01 am, all lands within the Douglas District will also go into Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1 (IFPL I), in regulated use areas DG-1, DG-2, UA-1, UA-2 and all forestland within one-eight mile thereof.
During IFPL I, smoking is prohibited while working on or traveling through an industrial operation. In addition, specified fire tools and suppression equipment must be on-site and ready for use at all industrial operations and a fire watch is required once work has been completed for the day.

Additional fire restrictions or closures may be in place through private industrial landowners or other public land management agencies on their own or managed lands. For more information about public and industrial fire restrictions, visit the following sites:

• Douglas Forest Protective Association: www.dfpa.net/public-fire-restrictions

05/12/2026

A new statewide website and mobile app called Before You Burn aims to help Oregonians prevent escaped debris fires, which are the leading cause of human-caused wildfires in the state.

05/12/2026

Your Riddle Firefighters spent the afternoon assisting Myrtle Creek Fire Department on a structure fire on Leon Street in Myrtle Creek. First arriving resources found a fully involved structure threatening several neighboring houses. Shortly after arrival the fire caused the power service drop to the residence to fail and fall to the ground causing access issues to that side of the structure and neighboring structure that was threatened. No injuries were reported and the fire was brought under control within an hour. Extensive mop up was needed to ensure the fire was completely extinguished and firefighters remained on scene for several hours. Also assisting on scene was Tri City Rural Fire Protection District 4, Canyonville South Umpqua Fire Department, Myrtle Creek Police, Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Cow Creek Tribal Police, and Umpqua Valley Ambulance.

Severing our community and the surrounding community!

05/07/2026

05/05/2026

DFPA SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT
USE CAUTION WHEN BURNING YARD DEBRIS

Sunny days may be perfect for yard work, but they can also create conditions that allow fire to spread quickly. With warmer temperatures in the forecast, it is especially important to take all precautions before burning.

If you plan to burn yard debris, make safety your top priority. Over the past decade, escaped debris burns have accounted for the largest number of fires outside fire season in the Douglas District, making them a leading cause of preventable wildfires.

Please note: DFPA is no longer issuing permits for industrial logging slash burning this spring. The permitting process will reopen after the 2026 fire season, when conditions allow. If you burned piles during the winter or spring, take time to check them carefully and ensure all residual heat is fully extinguished to prevent reignition as temperatures increase.

Before burning yard debris, check weather conditions. Avoid burning during warm, dry, or windy weather, and follow these essential safety tips:

• Check Local Regulations
o Contact your local fire department to confirm burning is allowed in your area, as restrictions can vary by district.
• Consider Safer Alternatives
o Composting, chipping, or recycling yard debris are effective options.
o If burning is necessary, cover your pile with plastic and wait for cooler, calmer conditions.
• Burn Only Natural Debris
o Materials such as rubber, plastics, garbage, petroleum products, and treated wood are prohibited and hazardous.
• Keep Piles Small and Manageable
o Smaller piles burn more quickly and are easier to control.
• Prepare Your Burn Site
o Clear a trail around the pile, down to mineral soil, before ignition.
• Have Tools Ready
o Keep a shovel and a charged garden hose on-site and never leave a fire unattended.
o Stay until it is completely out.
• Act Quickly If It Escapes
o Call 911 immediately if your burn gets out of control.

Even after flames are gone, danger can remain. Debris piles can smolder for days and reignite under warm or windy conditions. Always check previous burn sites to ensure they are fully extinguished.
Remember: if your fire escapes, you are responsible for suppression costs and any damage caused. These costs can range from hundreds to millions of dollars.

Take the extra time to burn safely—or wait for better conditions.

Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.
Together, we can Keep Oregon Green.

05/04/2026

On this International Firefighters’ Day, we honor the brave members of Oregon’s fire service who stand watch over our communities, day and night, on every planet (or just across the state).

Your courage, strength, and dedication are legendary.

May the FOURTH be with YOU, Oregon firefighters. Today, and every day, we salute your service.

05/01/2026

We’re proud to share that Riddle Fire District has once again been awarded funding through the Oregon State Fire Marshal Wildfire Season Staffing Grant. This support allows us to increase staffing levels during the height of wildfire season—when call volume rises and rapid response is critical.

For a small, rural district like ours, this type of funding makes a real difference. It helps us maintain adequate staffing despite the ongoing challenges we face—declining volunteer numbers, rising equipment costs, and limited local funding sources. This grant helps bridge that gap and ensures we can continue providing a high level of service when our community needs it most.

Beyond Riddle, this program plays an important role across the state. Strengthening local response capabilities helps prevent small fires from becoming large-scale incidents, ultimately protecting more communities and reducing overall wildfire impact in Oregon.

We’re grateful for the continued support from the Oregon State Fire Marshal and state leadership for recognizing the needs of rural fire districts. Investments like this directly improve safety—not just here at home, but across the region.

So what does this mean for our community?
✅ Quicker response times when emergencies happen
✅ Firefighters on duty during peak fire conditions
✅ Increased ability to contain fires early, before they escalate
✅ Enhanced response capabilities for medical calls and other emergencies

As always, we remain committed to protecting our community, and this funding helps ensure we’re ready for whatever this fire season brings.

12/25/2025