By Tove Tupper
 
June 17, 2009
 
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Forestry has announced Friday as the official start date for fire season.
 
The declaration applies to all county, state and federal land protected by ODF in Josephine and Jackson counties, and a section of the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest between Marial and Watson Creek. The Ashland Fire Marshal also announced Wednesday that fire season will begin in the city of Ashland on Friday as well.
 
Starting Friday, the fire danger level will be raised to moderate.
 
"Fires aren't burning bad right now. They're really hot but they're usually in a confined space and so it's a good learning (tool)," says ODF Forest Officer Phil Cardinal.
 
Fireworks will no longer be allowed on ODF lands, and all open burns will be banned. That includes debris piles, ditch burning and any form of backyard burning.
 
People may burn in a burn-barrels through the end of June, but only with a permit.
 
A wildfire hotline provides information on fires burning in Ashland and the surrounding area throughout the season. That number is 541-552-2490.
 
Areas across Oregon are preparing for the official start of fire season Friday.
 
The Umpqua National Forest and the Douglas Forest Protective Association are also announcing the start of their fire season. DFPA says the grass is drying and raising the wildfire threat in that region.