The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners convened on May 21, 2025, to discuss and approve a resolution aimed at enhancing fire safety measures in the region. The primary focus of the meeting was the approval of Resolution 2025-013, which imposes public use restrictions on unprotected lands and county-owned lands, effective June 1.

Evan Moriarty, the Deschutes County Forester, presented the resolution, emphasizing the need for these restrictions as the area transitions into warmer and drier summer conditions. Since 2014, the county has implemented similar restrictions annually to mitigate the risk of wildfires. Unprotected lands are defined as areas outside structural fire protection districts and the Oregon Department of Forestry's fire protection zones.

Key restrictions outlined in the resolution include a prohibition on open fires, including campfires and charcoal fires, except in designated areas. The use of portable cooking stoves is permitted, but chainsaw operations and cutting or grinding activities will be restricted during peak fire risk hours from 1 PM to 8 PM. Additionally, the use of motor vehicles will be limited to improved roads, and individuals will be required to carry firefighting equipment, such as shovels and fire extinguishers.

Commissioners expressed their support for the resolution, highlighting its importance in preventing wildfires, particularly in unprotected areas. The discussion also touched on the ongoing concerns regarding fireworks usage in the county. Commissioner Chang noted that while there have been requests to ban fireworks in unincorporated areas, past analyses indicated that significant fire ignitions from fireworks primarily occurred within city limits, particularly in Bend.

The resolution, which includes a ban on fireworks starting June 1, aims to address safety concerns while allowing for flexibility should data indicate a need for further restrictions in the future. The commissioners acknowledged the importance of ongoing communication with the county forester regarding fire risks as the summer progresses.

The meeting concluded with a brief recess before addressing additional agenda items. The approval of this resolution marks a proactive step by Deschutes County to safeguard its lands and communities against the threat of wildfires during the high-risk summer months.