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Since You Asked: 'Unimproved' roads are potential fire threats Wednesday Aug 19, 2009 at 12:21 AM In light of the latest fire regulations that took effect Aug. 17, the Oregon Department of Forestry said, "Vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, are not allowed on unimproved roads." In light of the latest fire regulations that took effect Aug. 17, the Oregon Department of Forestry said, "Vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, are not allowed on unimproved roads." So what is the legal definition of an "unimproved road?" I believe I know the answer, but I'd like to be sure. — Fred F., Trail Anyone who has spent time trudging around the hills and hollers of Southern Oregon has found themselves on an unimproved road at one time or another. The best way to describe an unimproved road is to give the definition of an improved road. According to ODF spokesman Brian Ballou, an improved road is one that is at least 12 feet wide with no potential grass or brush growing in the median or immediately along the road's edge. "Basically, it's a road maintained for passenger vehicles," Ballou said. Therefore, an unimproved road could be described as a narrow lane with long grass growing in the tracks and combustible shrubbery hugging the lane. "The goal with these restrictions is to keep hot vehicles off roads chock full of stuff that will burn," Ballou said. The problem with many unimproved roads is they run deep into forestlands, which creates access problems for firefighters if a fire breaks out. "Fire can move quickly from the road to the forest nearby," Ballou said. "Sometimes all it takes is for your car's hot exhaust to brush against some grass and away it goes." Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected].