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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Southwest Oregon fire danger jumps to 'extreme' this week ... Third candidate steps up for Bates' seat ... Jackson Care Connect invests $487K in behavioral health ... Southwest Oregon fire danger jumps to 'extreme' this week ... Third candidate steps up for Bates' seat ... Jackson Care Connect invests $487K in behavioral health ... PUBLIC SAFETY Southwest Oregon fire danger jumps to 'extreme' this week Comment By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted Aug. 15, 2016 at 9:17 AM Updated at 7:00 PM By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted Aug. 15, 2016 at 9:17 AM Updated at 7:00 PM » Social News A week expected to end with multiple days of triple-digit temperatures and an already parched landscape have pushed the Oregon Department of Forestry and Ashland Fire and Rescue to both move their fire danger scales to their highest level, "extreme," effective Monday, Aug. 15. ODF's move means public use of power-driven and spark-emitting internal combustion engines is forbidden on the 1.8 million acres of state, private, county and U.S. Bureau of Land Management forestlands ODF protects, according to a news release. Use of chainsaws and the cutting, grinding or welding of metal is prohibited. Mowing dried and cured grass with power-driven equipment is also prohibited. The mowing of green lawns and commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops are still allowed. Debris burns and burn barrels, which have been prohibited since July, still cannot be used. Cooking and warming fires also remain prohibited. Smoking is allowed only in vehicles on improved roads, and vehicles can only be driven on improved roads, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. Exploding targets, tracer ammunition and fireworks are also still prohibited. Fire prevention measures throughout the city of Ashland are similar to those of the Oregon Department of Forestry, including a ban on chainsaw use and mowing of dry grass with power-driven equipment. Mowing of green lawns is still permitted. The use of electric mowers, electric weed eaters, and electric chainsaws are not restricted. The following city restrictions remain in effect: • Outdoor debris burning is prohibited; • Fireworks are prohibited at all times, throughout the year within the city; • Sky Lanterns are prohibited at all times, throughout the year; • Lithia Park campfire rings are closed for use. Barbecues are still open if using briquettes or gas grills; • Backyard fire pits and pans of any type using wood are not permitted. Barbecues are still allowed if using briquettes or gas only; • Motorized vehicles are only permitted on improved roads; and • Smoking in areas of combustible vegetation is prohibited except while in a vehicle on an improved road. Find the most current restrictions at www.ashland.or.us/fireseason or call Ashland Fire & Rescue at 541-482-2770. Oregon Department of Forestry fire prevention requirements can be found at www.swofire.com . As of Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service was forecasting highs of 94 for Tuesday, 93 for Wednesday, 100 for Thursday and Friday and 96 for Saturday, with lows of 60, 61, 67, 64 and 60, respectively. Medford high temps are expected to reach a bit higher — 102 degrees Thursday and Friday — and lows a bit lower, in the upper 50s and low 60s. Despite new regulations going into effect, area fire agencies still had a wildfire to deal with outside Ashland Monday morning. The blaze, which roared to life on a patch of private land up Tolman Creek Road near the Toothpick trailhead just before 6 a.m., drew a response from ODF, Ashland Fire & Rescue, the U.S. Forest Service, Jackson County Fire District No. 5 and the BLM. The fire grew to a half acre by the time crews had it contained about 7:20 a.m., Ashland Fire officials said. The cause was not immediately available. Division chief Margueritte Hickman said some smoke will still be visible from the area as crews continue mopping up. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings Posted Aug. 15, 2016 at 9:17 AM Updated at 7:00 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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