Oregon officials are urging residents to take extra precautions this week amid high heat and dry conditions. As of Monday, numerous brush fires have already scorched multiple acres across the state.

The Multnomah County Fire Defense Board implemented a full 2025 summer burn ban Tuesday. The ban applies to all campfires, fire pits and backyard burning and is expected to last through the summer due to forecasted high temperatures and prolonged dry weather.

“This decision is rooted in our responsibility to protect the community and our natural resources,’’ said Fire Defense Board Chief Chris Barney in a press release. “Conditions continue to be dry, and human-caused fires remain one of our greatest risks. Limiting open burning is one of our most effective preventative measures.”

Outdoor grilling and cooking are still allowed, but residents are urged to take “extreme caution” and soak any ashes in water before disposing of them.

Elsewhere, the National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Central Oregon, starting 2 p.m. Tuesday. The warning comes as forecasters expect dry thunderstorms and lightning to develop across Central Oregon, posing a heightened wildfire risk for the area.

The warning is in effect until 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Southern and Eastern Oregon

In Southern Oregon, federal officials have implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions across public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. The restrictions ban most open flames, limit off-road vehicle use and restrict smoking in wildland areas.

Under the order, visitors are not allowed to build or use campfires outside of designated fire rings. The BLM Medford District announced the ban within the boundaries of the Rogue National Wild and Scenic River, south of Medford. The restrictions are in effect until Nov. 30.

According to BLM spokesperson Kyle Sullivan, violators can face fines up to $100,000 and/or up to one year in jail, in addition to restitution costs if a fire were to occur.

“In Southwest Oregon, we’re seeing continuously hot weather [and] dry fuels, and because of that, we’re moving into a high fire danger,” Sullivan said. “We need people to be extremely careful with traveling.”

Similar restrictions are in place across the Vale BLM District in southeast Oregon. In a press release, BLM Fire Management Officer Brent Meisinger urged visitors to recreate responsibly amid an active wildfire season.

“Already this year, Vale BLM firefighters have responded to several wildfires on public and private property in eastern Oregon,” Meisinger said. “Many of these fires were human caused. Enjoy your public lands, but please do it smartly and safely.”

According to Vale BLM Fire Management Specialist Al Crouch, vehicles are one of the most common causes of human-caused fires. Under the current restrictions, drivers are required to stay on main roads and avoid parking or idling near dry vegetation. The warning comes after a farm combine that was harvesting a field in Forest Grove caused a brush fire Monday that burned nearly an acre.

Firefighters have extinguished a field fire on NW Plum Hill LN. Fire burned approx 3/4 acre. pic.twitter.com/mamz4AKMjg

— Forest Grove Fire (@ForestGroveFire) June 30, 2025

The Oregon Department of Forestry has elevated the fire danger level to “High” across much of its Southwest District due to anticipated heat and lightning activity — it will take effect July 2. All ODF districts have entered “fire season” Tuesday, marking further restrictions across the state.

ODF officials are once again reminding visitors that “fireworks and forests” do not mix. Firework bans are in effect across all public lands in the state.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/07/01/burn-bans-oregon-dry-conditions-high-temperatures/