Due to increasing fire danger, the Umatilla National Forest has banned all campfires, including in campgrounds. Forest officials also closed the Heppner Ranger District to public entry due to large fires burning on the district.

PENDLETON — The Umatilla National Forest has banned all campfires and chain saw use due to increasing danger of wildfires.

The forest also closed the Heppner Ranger District to public entry due to two large fires burning on the district — the Lone Rock and Boneyard fires, both of which have prompted evacuation notices.

Umatilla National Forest officials closed the Heppner District on Sunday, July 21.

The ban on campfires, part of phase C of public use restrictions, took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, July 22.

Under phase C, visitors still can use stoves and heaters that use liquid or bottled fuel.

Generators with a Forest Service-approved spark arrestor can be used if they’re in an area cleared of combustible material for a diameter of at least 5 feet, contained inside a pickup truck bed or factory installed in a recreational vehilce.

Motor vehicles can’t travel off of open roads or trails, and smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles or buildings, developed recreation sites such as campgrounds, or in areas cleared of burnable debris.

The Heppner Ranger District closure applies to Forest Service land, roads, trails and recreational facilities. It does not apply to county, state or federal roads within the district.

A detailed map is available at www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.

In addition to the closure of the Heppner District, there are smaller area closures, also due to wildfires, on the North Fork John Day and Pomeroy ranger districts.