Friends of Lake of the Woods

The Primary goal of this fire prevention plan is to prevent human caused fires in the recreation area and to give our hosts and staff the necessary training and tools to educate visitors and prevent fires from occurring. The secondary goal of the plan is to identify fire hazards so they can be dealt with according to the standards in the permit. Abandoned and unattended campfires are the leading human-caused fire issue on the National Forests. Every summer prevention and recreation patrols detect and report the numbers of campfires that have been left burning and cite Forest visitors for this violation (36 Code of Federal Regulations 261.5). As a result, educating Forest visitors on how to responsibly enjoy a campfire will be the primary focus of the fire prevention plan. Prevention Program 2014-2015 Training We will conduct preseason training with our hosts and staff, The education includes prevention education training and how to identify hazards. We will also provide training on basic suppression and what action to take if a fire does occur. Training to include: Camper/ Visitor Education if the host should observe an unattended fire. How to properly advise the visitor of the infraction should be done in a friendly manner with educating the guest on proper fire procedures as a goal. We get many types of visitors in the recreation area and some people are unaware of the danger an unattended campfire can cause. Proper use of Forest Service approved signs will help educate visitors on the proper care and use of fire and give the host tools to educate anyone who do not know or follow the rules. Hosts will be trained to refer repeat offenders or blatant violators of the rules to our Law enforcement officers for further education or a citation. We would request assistance with training or information on training on an annual basis from the Winema Fire officers. We look forward to working with the Forest Service to prevent wildfire and preserve this great recreation area for future generations to use and enjoy. Prevention through Signing and education: Even the most prepared people can have accidental fires in the facilities they run. Proper signage that communicates the clear dangers of unattended fires or fires not properly doused and dead out. Proper signs with good placement can educate the visitors to take the correct care when choosing to take enjoy a campfire. Having proper signage and camp rules that the host can refer to are important tools in educating the visitor in the proper use and care of their campfire and camp site. Hazard Identification During our preseason operations inspections we will make note of all identified fire hazards so that they can be addressed before the sites are opened for use. If the action to eliminate hazard requires permission from the Forest Service, we will notify the permit administrator and request assistance. We would request a preseason visit from the permit administrator and the current district fire officer to walk through the facilities and help identify any hazards that need to addressed. Prevention Work: 1. The resort currently plans for tree maintenance on an annual basis. George Gregory the resort manager has 17 years of experience in dealing with hazard tree identification and the subsequent removal and cleanup efforts. The resort has worked closely with the Forest Service to implement hazard tree removal as well as thinning and pruning of trees in the recreation area and at both the resort and USFS Work Center sites. We will continue the same type of efforts to prevent fires and improve forest health and visitor experiences here at Lake of the Woods. An annual program of thinning and pruning trees in the recreation area is a top priority for the resort. We intend to set aside additional funding beyond the requirements of the permit to accomplish this work. Standing dead trees in the recreation that pose a threat area should be felled and disposed of properly to prevent the overloading of the grounds with dry fuels that could lead to wildfire. Pruning large trees and the thinning of small diameter trees with a mix chipping or burning of slash would be planned with the Forest Service’s help and approval. Tree limbs and brush will be trimmed to the defensible space requirements authorized in the permits. 15 feet of defensible space around campfire rings and up to 30 feet from structures would be kept clear of easily combustible materials. Fire Response Preparedness: The Resort currently owns the following tools for fire suppression: 1987 Water Truck 1800 gallons of water with a 10 HP Honda Pump and 100 feet of 1 inch line. Fire suppression tools also on board: A Pulaski &, Shovel. The resort also has a portable pump that can be used to draft water from the lake to fill the water truck. The Resort also has a 6 inch fire hydrant in the RV park that can be used for rapid refills for tenders and fire trucks. The resort recently added adding a 2nd 6 inch fire hydrant to the entrance area of the resort for use by all firefighting crews and equipment. Resort Fire tools include Shovels, Pulaski’s, Pressurized water cans, rakes, chainsaws and fire extinguishers. On site fire tools: Each Camp Host site will be equipped with: 2 # Long Handled shovels 1 Pulaski 2 filled 5 gallon buckets of water and 1 1A-10BC Fire Extinguisher (5pound) In addition each vehicle used at the recreation area will be equipped with the following: 1 # 2 Long Handled shovel, 1 Pulaski, 1 1A-10BC Fire Extinguisher (5pound). In 2025 the concessions operation added several 25 gallon electric sprayers to assist in extinguishing unattended fires and campfires that are too large for the fire rings. Our camp hosts are the 1st responders and reporting parties if a fire is beyond our capabilities. Trained Personnel: George Gregory joined Rocky Point Fire department to volunteer as a community service and to also receive firefighter and first responder training. George has gained valuable experience as a member of the Rocky Point Fire department. The resort and fire department have performed many tests with the fire department water tender and other fire apparatus here at the resort. George Gregory has basic fire suppression training and is continuing to learn about wild land fire suppression as well as structural fires and other emergency response training. George has responded to many other emergency’s including fires and accidents Lake of the Woods and 4 Mile Lake. The resort conducts basic fire suppression training with all maintenance department staff. The resort staff will be able to assist the site hosts in the advent of wildfire or any fire in the recreation area. The resort maintains an on call person 7 nights a week during the summer season to respond to visitor requests and will also be available to assist the camp hosts in any afterhours emergency situation. Resort Manager George Gregory is also available for emergency assistance during the summer season. This fire prevention plan will be updated on an annual basis. The Resort is proud to work with the Fremont – Winema national Forest to prevent fires and improve fire prevention education to the visitors of The Lake of the Woods and 4 mile Lake areas. Plan updated March 2026 Spring 2026 updates Extensive trimming and pruning of trees in the campgrounds and resort area have been an ongoing program for the resort since early in the existence of the resort. Current policy is to identify hazard trees and to remove them. Since 2004 the resort has undertaken the management of the forest and works with our permit specialist and the tree specialist on the district to thin and trim trees in the permit areas. Fall burning and clean up are a priority, spring clean up and the final pre opening work has been a huge improvement in forest health and the identification of hazards. The use of man lifts has revolutionized the process to thin the trees and identify hazards.