Hunting and fire danger in Oregon

The map below provides insight into how active wildfires may be impacting hunting areas in Oregon. Users are encouraged to contact the land manager directly for the most up-to-date information as active fires and closure areas can change quickly and data on map may not be current. The map overlays data on large active wildfires, current fire closures on US Forest Service lands, Oregon's wildlife management units, Access & Habitat Program areas, Travel Management Areas, and publicly owned lands (excluding national parks). Fire data is provided by The Wildland Fire Interagency Geospatial Services (WFIGS) Group, which provides authoritative geospatial data products under the interagency Wildland Fire Data Program.‌ For more information about the data in this map, click here.

Closures and access

ODFW does not close hunting seasons due to fire danger. But hunters may face access restrictions as areas close due to active fires, firefighting activity or fire danger. Know before you go – use these links to check for closures beforehand.

•  National Forests in Oregon (U.S. Forest Service)
•  Bureau of Land Management
•  Inciweb—Current fires and fire-related closures in Oregon
•  Oregon Department of Forestry fire restrictions
• Private forestland closure information.
• Northwest National Forest Closure Map (U.S. Forest Service)

Current A&H closures and updates:
updated September 16, 2024

Manulife properties in NE Oregon reopen for camping Sept. 17

NE Region A&H access areas reopen to public access as of Aug. 16: M.R. King Ranches, Troy Ranches, Iron Mountain, Virtue Flat, Foster Ranch, Glass Hill, Owsley Canyon, Bear Creek, Carman Ranch, Harshfield Ranch, Divide Ridge, Heppner Regulated Hunt Area, Social Ridge, Four Mile, Bunker Hill

A&H closures are usually announced by ODFW news release. You can sign up to receive news releases and other topics of your choice by text or email. For the latest information on A&H closures contact the local district office or the local A&H contact.

Fire restrictions

Hunters, anglers and others are responsible for knowing and following fire restrictions when outdoors. Here are the most common ones:

• Campfires prohibited on many public lands. That includes within designated campgrounds.
• Only liquid-fueled camp stoves may be used. No charcoal briquettes or other flammable solid materials are allowed.
• No smoking except inside an enclosed vehicle.
• Off-road driving is also prohibited in most areas, which includes motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. Driving on vegetation could spark a fire.
• Vehicles must have either a gallon of water or a fully charged and operational 2½-pound fire extinguisher and shovel (except when travelling on state highways or county roads).
• ATVs must have a charged and operational 2½ pound fire extinguisher.
• Additional restrictions as set by landowner.

Tag refund, preference point reinstatement policies

ODFW understands hunters may have saved their points for years to draw a tag. We want them to have a quality hunt or the chance to have their points reinstated if fire has significantly impacted their hunt.

ODFW's commitment to hunters is that we will make decisions about offering reinstatement of points/refunding tags as soon as we have sufficient information to do so. This is a balancing act. A decision too far in advance of a hunt can be premature when closures are in flux. In some cases, primarily with larger "mega" fires, we can evaluate and make a decision within about two weeks of opening day based on the extent of the fire across a particular hunt unit, the duration of a hunt period, and decisions by public land managers. For other hunts, we may not know until after the hunting season ends.

ODFW staff closely watch active fires and associated closures and evaluate how they will impact hunting. Public land managers also know the importance of hunting seasons and we are in close communication with USFS, BLM and others. Often, public land closures that were originally scheduled to be months long and covering large areas are substantially reduced in time for hunting seasons.

Factors we consider in making a decision to reinstate points include: proportion of hunt area burned, amount of accessible land, timing of reopening, length of the hunting season (with longer seasons offering more flexibility), and the severity of the burn/impact to big game. We also seek to balance providing hunting opportunity this year and a quality hunt for those with a tag while minimizing impacts on future draws. Hunters that are offered point reinstatement may still choose to go hunting that season (even just some hunters dropping out for the year helps balance hunter densities when there is a large closure).

A few things we ask of hunters:

• Be sure to have a valid email in our licensing system – email is the primary method we will use to contact you about point reinstatement/refunds. Check the email address listed in your ELS profile by logging into your account and checking Your Profile. Tell your hunting buddies, too!
• Be aware that deciding not to hunt because of fire related activity, without first hearing from ODFW, is not grounds for automatic points reinstatement. Partial closures to your hunt area, fire restrictions or inability to scout prior to the season are also not grounds for point reinstatement.
• Finally, know that once you go hunting and start using your tag, you are ineligible for a point reinstatement.