Grants Pass is moving into a more dangerous phase of fire season this week, as persistent high temperatures and dry conditions have rapidly increased wildfire risk. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the City of Grants Pass will officially raise its fire danger level to “High,” marked by the yellow fire risk category. The announcement was made by the City’s Fire Marshal following days of extreme heat and increasingly arid vegetation throughout the region.
The decision to escalate the fire danger level comes as local vegetation continues to dry out, making even small ignition sources potentially catastrophic. As a result, a series of fire safety restrictions will go into effect aimed at minimizing the risk of human-caused wildfires. These measures include new limits on outdoor equipment use and stricter controls on open flames and activities that could emit sparks.
Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. each day, the use of power-driven equipment like chainsaws, mowers, weed eaters, generators, and wood splitters will be prohibited in flammable areas. Exceptions are made for mowing green, well-watered lawns that pose minimal fire risk. Power saw use will also be limited, with specific requirements that include having a shovel and at least an 8-ounce fire extinguisher on hand. Anyone using a power saw must also maintain a one-hour fire watch following operation.
Cutting, welding, and grinding metal in flammable zones will also be off-limits during those same hours. Likewise, mowing of dried or cured grass will be prohibited from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Open wood-fueled fires—including campfires, cooking fires, and warming fires—will not be allowed unless they are within sites specifically designated by the Fire Marshal. However, propane and natural gas-fueled appliances and ornamental fires are still permitted, as are charcoal barbecues and wood smokers when used responsibly in designated areas.
Smoking is strictly banned in areas with flammable vegetation. In addition, off-road travel with motorized vehicles, including ATVs and motorcycles, is restricted to improved roads that are clear of dry brush unless being used directly in the cultivation or harvest of agricultural crops.
For any other spark-emitting internal combustion engines not explicitly mentioned, usage will be allowed only outside the 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. window, and even then, only in cleared areas with an active water source—such as a charged garden hose—or a fire extinguisher of at least 2.5 pounds readily available.
While these restrictions are sweeping, the City Fire Marshal retains the authority to grant written modifications or waivers on a case-by-case basis. This flexibility is intended for unique situations where fire safety can still be maintained through alternative means.
Residents are urged to take the elevated risk seriously and adhere strictly to the updated fire safety guidelines. For further details or specific inquiries, the public is encouraged to contact the Fire Prevention Division at 541-450-6200.