Welcome to Illinois Valley Fire District

As of September 10th, 2025, at 12:01 a.m.

Fire danger level decreases to High on ODF-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine Counties

JACKSON & JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Ore. (Sept. 9, 2025) – Due to cooler temperatures and light rain overnight and in the forecast, the fire danger level on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District will decrease to “high” (yellow) on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. This affects 1.8 million acres of state, private, county and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will remain at Level 2 (two).

The primary difference between current fire prevention restrictions and those beginning on Wednesday affects the public use of power-driven equipment, such as chainsaws, mowers, weed eaters, and more. The use of power-driven equipment, grinding, cutting of metal, and other spark-emitting equipment, such as wood splitters and generators, will now be allowed until 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. daily. Mowing green lawns are allowed at anytime.

Other fire prevention regulations which will remain in effect, include:

• No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
• No fireworks on or within 1/8th of a mile of ODF-protected land. Fireworks are prohibited on all BLM land.
• Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited
• Campfires are allowed only in designated campgrounds. Portable stoves or fire pits using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used in other locations that are clear of dry vegetation.
• Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain, are allowed only on improved roads; one shovel and one gallon of water, or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher, is required while traveling
• Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations
• Chain saws may not be used between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. during high fire danger. During hours outside of this time frame, chain saws may be used but require that the operator have one shovel and one 8-oz or larger fire      extinguisher at the work site. A fire watch is also required for one hour after each chainsaw use
• Cutting, grinding, and welding of metal is not allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. during high fire danger. These activities will be allowed during hours outside of this time frame only if the work site is cleared of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials, and a water supply is at the job site
• The mowing of dead or dried grass with power-driven equipment is not allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. during high fire danger. This includes the use of electric, battery and gas-powered equipment. This restriction      does not include mowing of green lawns, or equipment used for the  commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops
• Any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine-use not specifically  mentioned is not allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. during high fire danger. Use of any spark-emitting internal combustion engine is allowed outside of this time frame only if the work site is cleared of potentially      flammable vegetation and other materials, and a water supply is at the job site
• Any electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, and be      installed and used in compliance with the fence controller’s instructions for fire safe operation.

For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s fire season public restrictions, please call or visit the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest to you:

• Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. (541) 664-3328
• Grants Pass Unit, 5375  Monument Dr., Grants Pass. (541) 474-3152

BLM fire restrictions are available here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions 

Fire season information is also available online at our Facebook page, @ODFSouthwestand our website, www.swofire.com..

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The Illinois Valley Fire District is currently accepting applications for:

• Volunteer Firefighters (Ongoing Recruitment)
  We are looking for responsible, team-oriented individuals who are mentally and physically capable of serving their community. Training is provided.
  
   

To apply, submit your application materials in person at 681 Caves Highway, Cave Junction, OR 97523, or email them to jamiepaul@ivfire.com.

Create or update your Community Connect profile here

Burn Permits will be available through Community Connect at the end of 

Fire Season 2025.

Our fire district is no stranger to wildfire and there are things you can do to your home and property to reduce the risk to your home and your community.

We are here to help and have developed two programs to educate and reduce the barriers that may be preventing you from protecting your home.