Fair Oaks Rural Fire District

10/18/2026

10/18/2026

FIRE SEASON QUESTIONS

We have received several inquiries about whether DFPA will be ending fire season in conjunction with other districts that have announced the end of their seasons.

At this time, temperatures across the Douglas District are forecast to remain in the high 80s over the next several days. We also need a substantial amount of rainfall before we can safely consider ending fire season.

Rain is essential to increase moisture levels in larger fuel types, such as trees and other woody vegetation, and to reduce fire danger in higher elevation areas where fuels may remain dry.

Fire season remains in effect across lands protected by DFPA. Debris burning continues to be restricted.

Please remain vigilant and continue to follow all fire season restrictions currently in place. We appreciate your continued patience and understanding as we depend on Mother Nature and the weather conditions needed to safely end fire season.

10/14/2026

10/07/2026

🔥 HOW LONG CAN FIRE SEASON LAST? 🌲

Curious about how long fire season can last in the Douglas District?

Thanks to our Industrial Forester’s fantastic spreadsheets and tracking system, we were able to dig all the way back to 1990 and look at the length of fire season over the years. Yes, that's right, the 1900s, before most of our firefighters were born. Basically, we had to consult the ancient archives. 😂🌲

But what actually determines when fire season starts and ends?

It’s not simply a date on the calendar. The length of fire season is influenced by the conditions on the lands we protect, including fuel moisture, temperatures, and the prevalence and severity of fire danger.

As fuels dry out and temperatures and other conditions contribute to increased fire danger, conditions can warrant the start or continuation of fire season. When conditions improve, fuels regain moisture and fire danger decreases, fire season can eventually come to an end.

So, we went back through the records to see just how much the length of fire season has varied.

Some years were shorter. Some were considerably longer. And then there’s 2026, currently sitting at 124 days and counting.

Take a look at the graphic and see how this year compares to the years in our ancient archives. 👀🔥🌲

And a special thanks to our Industrial Forester for keeping the spreadsheets alive and making this historical deep dive possible.

10/06/2026

Fifth Tuesday Pizza

09/26/2026

RESTRICTIONS DECREASE FOR PUBLIC AND INDUSTRY

DFPA NEWS RELEASE: Due to decreased fire danger and expected precipitation across lands protected by the Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA), Public Use Restriction Levels will decrease to LOW, effective Friday, September 25, 2026, at 12:01 a.m., for all private, county, state, and Bureau of Indian Affairs lands within the Douglas District.

The reduction in restriction levels reflects improved fuel moisture conditions; however, the public is reminded that fire season remains in effect, and caution should continue to be exercised when using equipment outdoors.

Debris Burning- including debris piles and burn barrels, remains PROHIBITED at all times.

Additionally, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will decrease to Level 1, effective 12:01 a.m., within the Douglas Forest Protection District, on all lands protected by DFPA, which includes all regulated use areas, and all forestlands within one-eighth mile of those areas, including lands managed by the Roseburg District Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

IFPL (Industrial Fire Precaution Level) levels within the Douglas Forest Protection District will change to IFPL LEVEL 1, in regulated use area (s) DG-1, DG-2, UA-1, UA-2, and all forestland within one-eighth mile thereof.

What does this change mean to the public?

Non-industrial power saw usage, cutting, grinding, or welding of metal, cutting, trimming, or mowing of dried, cured grass, and power-driven machinery for non-industrial improvement or development on private property is allowed ALL DAY.

Off-Road Driving Allowed with Landowner Permission for Motor Vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, is only allowed on improved roads free of flammable vegetation, except for cultivating and harvesting agricultural crops. In addition, each passenger vehicle traveling on forestlands, except on state highways, county roads, and driveways, must have an axe, a shovel, and one gallon of water or a 2 ½ pound or larger ABC fire extinguisher. ATVs must have a 2½-pound or larger ABC fire extinguisher.

What restrictions does IFPL1, Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1, place on industries?

Under Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1, the use of fire or power-driven machinery in any operation area is unlawful unless such use is in compliance with the following:
All applicable fire prevention requirements of ORS Chapter 477 and OAR Chapter 629 Divisions 41 to 43.

For more information, visit www.dfpa.net or call the office at (541) 672-6507.

09/07/2026

Why Fire Restrictions Can Differ Between Areas

You may notice that fire danger levels and Public Use Restrictions can differ between areas, even when those areas are relatively close to one another.

Why?

Different land management agencies have different jurisdictions, responsibilities and processes for evaluating fire danger and establishing restrictions. DFPA can speak to how we evaluate conditions and make decisions for the lands within our protection area.

How Does DFPA Determine Fire Danger?

DFPA does not base fire danger on a single weather event or observation. We evaluate multiple indicators to understand current and expected wildfire potential, including:

Energy Release Component (ERC)
An indicator of the potential energy available to a fire based on fuel and environmental conditions. Higher ERC values generally indicate that fires have greater potential to become intense and difficult to control.

Fuel Moisture
Measures how much moisture is contained in vegetation and other fuels. Drier fuels ignite more easily and can burn more readily.

Relative Humidity
Helps indicate how quickly fuels can gain or lose moisture. Lower humidity generally means fuels dry more quickly and become easier to ignite.

Precipitation
We consider the amount, timing and effectiveness of recent precipitation. Rain does not automatically mean fuels are fully rehydrated, and its effects can vary depending on the amount received and conditions that follow.

We also consider temperature, wind, forecasted weather, current fuel conditions and other factors.

These indicators are considered together to determine whether conditions warrant increasing, maintaining or reducing fire danger levels and associated Public Use Restrictions.

Fire danger is dynamic, and our restrictions change with the conditions.

LOW Does Not Mean “No Restrictions”

A LOW fire danger level does not mean wildfire risk has disappeared or that all activities are permitted.

Under current DFPA LOW Public Use Restrictions:

Open burning, including debris burning, is prohibited.
Warming fires are prohibited.
Campfires are only allowed in designated locations.
Other activities and ignition sources may also be prohibited or subject to specific requirements under the current restrictions.

Public Use Restrictions are designed to reduce unnecessary human caused wildfire risk while allowing activities that can reasonably be conducted safely under current conditions.

Finding the Right Balance

Wildfire prevention is not only about restricting activities. It is also about reducing fuels and protecting communities.

When conditions allow, DFPA seeks to maintain opportunities for residents to safely mow dry vegetation, maintain defensible space and conduct other fuel mitigation activities.

There is a balance between restricting activities that create unnecessary wildfire risk and allowing responsible activities that help reduce fuels.

Our goal is not to keep restrictions as low or as high as possible.
Our goal is to establish restrictions that are appropriate for the conditions.
As conditions improve, restrictions may be reduced. As conditions become more hazardous, restrictions may increase.

Remember
Restriction levels can differ between jurisdictions. Always check the current restrictions for the specific land where you are working or recreating.

Know the conditions.
Know the restrictions.
Prevent wildfires.

06/23/2026

A financial summary for 2026.