Oregon Department of Forestry - Northeast Oregon District

06/08/2026

Oregon Department of Forestry Begins Fire Season in Northeast Oregon District

La Grande, OR - While some areas in northeast Oregon remain green, fire activity in the region has started to increase. As a result, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has declared the start of fire season for the Northeast Oregon District. "Continued dry conditions and increasing temperatures are expected in the coming weeks. These conditions, combined with rising fire danger, have led us to declare fire season," said Justin Lauer, District Forester.

The fire season will officially begin at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, June 8, for the forests and rangelands protected by the ODF Northeast Oregon District. "With the forecasted weather conditions our fine fuels will continue to cure out making it more likely for fires to spread quickly. Declaring fire season allows us to help prevent human-caused fires, which can be a significant issue throughout the summer," Lauer explained. The declaration of fire season places fire prevention restrictions on landowners and the public. Additionally, fire prevention regulations on industrial logging and forest management activities are put into place. Lands affected include private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands in Union, Baker, Wallowa, and Umatilla counties along with small portions of Malheur, Morrow, and Grant counties within the Northeast Oregon Forest Protection District. This area encompasses approximately 2 million acres of protected lands. ODF encourages landowners and the public to help prevent accidental ignitions by taking extra precautions while recreating or working, it can make a difference.

For information on restrictions across the Northeast Oregon District, dial: (541) 975-3027 or visit www.bmidc.org, for current information on fire restrictions.

During Fire Season:

Debris burning is by permit only. To obtain a burn permit for a debris pile or burn barrel, please call your local ODF office.

o Baker City Sub-Unit: (541) 523-5831
o La Grande Unit: (541) 963-3168
o Pendleton Unit: (541) 276-3491
o Wallowa Unit: (541) 886-2881

• Campfires for recreational and/or cooking purposes are allowed.

Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required; shovel or other firefighting tool, minimum of 1- gallon of water, or 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher and a fire watch at least one hour after extinguishing.

PROHIBITED:

• Use of exploding targets.
• Use of tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base.
• Use of sky lanterns throughout the year in Oregon.

To report a fire, dial 9-1-1.
Make sure you know the fire restrictions before you head out. Check with your local Forest Service office for fire regulations on National Forest land, or BLM office for lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Information

on Public-Use Restrictions on the Oregon Department of Forestry, Umatilla National Forest and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest can be found at http://bmidc.org/index.shtml under Current Information: Fire Restrictions.

04/16/2026

03/20/2026

Warmer Weather = Higher Fire Risk

Spring is here, but conditions across Northeast Oregon are already drier than normal. Fire doesn’t care what time of year it is - if conditions are right, it will start.

Before you burn:
• Check conditions
• Have water and tools ready
• Stay with your fire
• Be ready for the unexpected

Let’s work together to prevent unwanted fires and protect our communities.

03/16/2026

Fire Safety Fun in Umatilla County!

Second graders from across Umatilla County recently learned about wildfire prevention and fire safety from members of the Northeast Oregon Fire Prevention Co-Op and local fire partners. Students discovered how fires start, how to stay safe, and how everyone can help protect our homes and forests.

The highlight of the day? A special visit from Smokey Bear!

Thank you to the teachers, schools, and fire personnel who help make this event possible each year. Helping our youngest community members learn about fire safety today helps protect Northeast Oregon tomorrow.

02/25/2026

Last weekend, multiple agencies from Northeast Oregon came together at the North Powder Rural Fire Protection District for scenario-based training on Wildland-Urban Interface strategies and tactics focused on Union and Baker Counties.

Participating agencies included:
• North Powder Rural Fire Department
• Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center
• ODF – La Grande, Baker & Wallowa
• U.S. Forest Service - Wallowa Whitman National Forest – Baker & Grande Ronde Fire Zone
• City of La Grande Fire Department
• La Grande Rural Fire Protection District
• Sumpter Valley Rural Fire Department
• Eagle Valley Rural Fire Department
• Baker Rural Fire Rescue
• Imbler Rural Fire Department
• Oregon State Fire Marshal

These collaborative trainings strengthen interagency coordination and preparedness as we head into fire season.

A huge thank you to the North Powder Rural Fire Department for hosting and feeding everyone—we truly appreciate your hospitality and support!

02/06/2026

Due to below-average winter precipitation, Oregon Department of Forestry - Northeast Oregon District is drier than normal. With little snowpack and fuels already drying out, the risk of fire ignition is higher—and we’re well ahead of the usual fire season timeline.

If you plan to burn slash piles or conduct any debris burning, please use extra caution this year. Conditions are expected to continue drying as the season progresses. ✅ Always check with your local Oregon Department of Forestry office or fire department before burning to make sure it’s a safe day to burn.

Do your part to prevent wildfires: keeporegongreen.org

02/04/2026

Baker District staff with the Oregon Department of Forestry - Northeast Oregon District attended the Community Emergency Preparedness Fair in Halfway on Friday, January 30. Fire prevention team partners shared information with community members about defensible space and steps homeowners can take now to prepare for wildfire season.

Proactive wildfire preparedness helps reduce risk and strengthens resilience across Northeast Oregon. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn more.

01/14/2026

🌲🏠Northwest Youth Corps is recruiting for its Community Wildfire Protection Corps crews to help protect communities across Eastern Oregon from wildfire. 🌲🏠

These crews focus on reducing fuels around homes and critical infrastructure to improve local wildfire resilience. Members receive
training, gain valuable field experience and certifications, and earn money while making their communities safer.

Northwest Youth Corps is currently recruiting Crew Members, Crew Leaders, and Assistant Leaders. After initial training, these crews follow a 10-days-on/4-days-off format while camping throughout Eastern Oregon during the session. The meeting point is in Pendleton, OR.

Go to nwyouthcorps.org/cwpc/ to apply and learn more!

12/18/2025

🔥🌲 Outstanding Work by the Pine Valley Firewise Community! 🌲🔥
We’d like to recognize the incredible efforts of the Pine Valley Firewise Community, led by Debi Lorence, in collaboration with Baker ODF, the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM), and OSU Extension. Through this strong partnership, the Idaho Youth Corps returns to Halfway, OR each year to make a meaningful impact.

This season, the crew stayed busy completing critical fuel-reduction and wildfire-mitigation projects, helping protect vulnerable landowners living in high-fire-risk areas. In addition to hands-on fieldwork, the youth corps participated in education and outreach events led by subject-matter experts from Baker ODF, OSFM, and Baker County OSU Extension—building skills, awareness, and long-term community resilience.

Thank you to everyone involved for your continued dedication to wildfire preparedness, collaboration, and community safety. Your efforts are making a real difference! 💪🔥🌲

12/16/2025

Baker ODF Spreads Holiday Cheer Throughout Our Communities!

This holiday season, Baker ODF is embracing the festive spirit and building stronger bonds throughout our district. Over the weekend, one of our engines joined the Sumpter Christmas Parade, delighting the crowd and highlighting our dedication to the communities we serve.

We are honored to participate in these cherished traditions and to celebrate the season alongside our neighbors. Wishing everyone a joyful, safe, and memorable holiday season! ✨🎅🎄