Wildfires: Impact on hunting, fishing, wildlife

Learn more about the impact of fire on fish and wildlife

ODFW can’t say Go -- No Go. We will however, try to inform the public about fire closures and limited access, air quality and hunt unit status so you can make an informed decision.

Before you go

Check - Access to preferred hunting and fishing areas

Check - Air quality concerns

Check - Hunt unit status

Check - Cancellations -- including workshops and events, details sent through email in registered student account

Check - Damage to ODFW properties

Find the latest closure and access information

Reminder that ODFW doesn't control land access except to our wildlife areas.

ODFW Wildlife Areas

Check the latest Recreation Report for any closures.

Check Alerts on MyODFW home page.

Public lands

Several national and state forests on the west side of the Cascades have experienced closures to public access, including the Mt. Hood, Willamette and Siuslaw national forests, and Clatsop and Tillamook state forests. Access can change at any time, so know before you go -- Check with these public land managers for the latest information:

USDA National Forests
Bureau of Land Management
Oregon State Forests

Private lands

Private timber companies and other landowners may close their lands during fire seasons. These landowners may even pull their own contractors and workers (e.g. loggers) off the property when fire danger reaches a certain level.

Private landowners may close their properties to ALL access or have restrictions (such as no camping).

Here are some of the most common fire restrictions according to Oregon Department of Forestry:

• No camping.
• Campfires may be prohibited or allowed only in approved campgrounds in multiple areas.
• Smoking and off-road driving may be prohibited in most areas. This also includes motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.
• Vehicles will need to have a gallon of water or a fully charged and operational 2.5 pound fire extinguisher and shovel (except when travelling on state highways or county roads).
• ATVs will need to have a fully charged and operational 2.5 pound fire extinguisher.

The Oregon Department of Forestry maintains an ongoing list of fire closures and restrictions on private forestlands.

For more information about fire status and maps of fire boundaries, check these websites:

• Oregon Wildfire Resources is an interagency hub for wildfire information in Oregon.
• The Incident Information System also has maps of current fires.

Check the health impacts of reduced air quality

ODFW can't tell you whether the air quality is safe for you to go out in. If the area you want to hunt or fish in is open for the season and you have the proper license and tag, the decision to go is up to your best judgement. You need to consider air quality warnings and your own health status.

The current air quality in many parts of the state ranges from unhealthy to hazardous due to smoke from wildfires. The Oregon Department of Environmental quality maintains an Air Quality Index (AQI) map that shows the current air quality for dozens of locations throughout the state.

The EPA also describes the health impacts of different air quality measures – information you can use to make your hunting or fishing plans.

No hunts are cancelled. Refunds or reinstatement considered after hunting season.

ODFW does not close hunting seasons due to elevated fire danger, access and use restrictions, or firefighting activities.

While we don't close hunting seasons, we will reinstate preference points or refund tags in certain situations due to lost access. Here's what you need to know about that policy:

• Point reinstatement/refunds are considered when reasonable public access to the entire hunt area is substantially restricted for the entire hunt period, resulting in a complete loss of hunting opportunity. (Reasonable access means some access to at least a portion of the hunt area during the time period when hunting can occur.)
• Restrictions against campfires, camping or vehicle/road restrictions (e.g. surface roads only, no OHV traffic) are not considered a loss of hunting opportunity.
• Hunters may also exchange controlled tags for general seasons tags before their controlled hunt begins, but would be ineligible for any preference point reinstatement.

If after a hunt period ends, ODFW determines that reasonable access was unavailable during the entire season, tag holders will be contacted with their options. Options may include exchange for a general season tag and reinstatement of preference points +1, or refund of tag fees and reinstatement of points +1 (hunting licenses are not refunded).

Bighorn sheep, Rocky Mtn goat and pronghorn tags may also be revalidated for later dates, a different area, or the following season in some situations.

No fishing seasons are cancelled

ODFW does not close fishing seasons due to elevated fire danger, access or use restrictions, or firefighting activities.

The decision to reinstate points or refund tags cannot be made until after the hunting season is over.