Federal land managers in Central Oregon lifted campfire and smoking restrictions Friday in response to recent rains along with the change in season.

The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management removed restrictions for the Deschutes National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland and the Prineville District of the BLM.

The restrictions had been in place since July 25 .

“ Overall conditions are looking really good,” said Lisa Clark, spokeswoman for the BLM in Prineville.

The Ochoco National Forest lifted campfire restrictions earlier this month.

Such restrictions on lands overseen by the BLM will remain in place until Tuesday for part of the John Day River and Oct. 15 for stretches of the Lower Deschutes, Crooked and White rivers.

“That’s just because those places have just such high recreation use,” Clark said.

The agencies also are lifting equipment restrictions on permitted operations such as logging and woodcutting.

Loggers and woodcutters are now allowed to use chainsaws at any time in designated parts of the woods. There had been a partial shutdown for loggers and woodcutters in effect.

Despite the lifting of restrictions, Clark said wildfire season isn’t completely over. The end typically doesn’t come in Central Oregon until there has been a string of days with rain or snow.

In the meantime, she cautioned people heading out into the woods to be careful with any campfires and not leave them unattended or smoldering.

“They need to take the time and put them out,” Clark said.

Along with changing fire restrictions, the Forest Service and BLM are greeting the change in seasons in Central Oregon with plans for controlled burns.

Controlled burns are planned for coming months in the Bend-Fort Rock, Sisters and Crescent ranger districts of the Deschutes National Forest, as well as the Prineville District of the BLM, said Kassidy Kern, spokeswoman for the national forest.

Firefighters light controlled burns when conditions are right for low-intensity fires that clear out underbrush.

Goals include improving forest and rangeland health, creating better wildlife habitat and lowering of the potential for large wildfires near structures.

“Each burn has its own objective,” she said.

— Reporter: 541-617-7812, ddarling@bendbulletin.com