As wildfires continue to rage across Oregon, hunters should prepare for possible hunting area closures and other issues should they decide to move forward with an Oregon-based hunt. While the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) isn’t prohibiting hunters from heading afield, the agency is recommending that you keep tabs on your hunt status, air quality in areas you plan on hunting and closure and access information.

While the majority of ODFW-owned wildlife areas currently remain open to hunting, Summer Lake Wildlife Area is currently under a Level 3 evacuation and the campground is closed. Hunters should check this page for updates to other wildlife areas.

Also, ODFW does not control land access beyond the wildlife areas mentioned above and, according to the agency, Mt. Hood, Willamette and Sisulaw national forests, as well as Clatsop and Tillamook state forests, are currently closed to public access. For up-to-date information on public land access, click on the following links:

Further, private timber companies and landowners could close their land with little notice or place restrictions on who can access them (including workers or contractors), depending on the severity of the situation. For an ongoing list of fire closures and restrictions on private forestlands, click here.

For fire status and maps of fire boundaries, click here or here.

Good luck and stay safe!