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Oregon Department of Forestry-Western Lane District
This is a photo of a sunrise over a forest during the Shaw Creek Fire.


Welcome to Western Lane District
This is a photo looking out from Walker Point over a fog bank settled in Western Lane. Where the Trees Grow Big and the Rivers Run Strong
The Western Lane District provides fire protection to 750,650 acres of private and public forest land in western Lane County and parts of northern Douglas County. The district's State Forests Program manages 26,002 acres of forest land. Implementing the Oregon Forest Practices Act, Western Lane has an active Private Forests program. Stewardship foresters work with Oregon's forest industry and assist non-industrial woodland owners in managing their lands and increasing the productivity of their natural resources.
More information about the Oregon Department of Forestry
Spotlight on the Western Lane District
Back Yard Burning and Smoke Management
Backyard burning in Lane County is managed by the Lane Regional Air Pollution Agency. To check on the backyard burning regulations please follow the LRAPA link below.

For Smoke Management questions please navigate to our Smoke Management page on the right hand column.
RECREATION IN WESTERN LANE
Western Lane is not able to offer recreation activity in our state forests mainly due to the location of the lands within the district. However, within Western Lane there are endless areas to recreate.

For more information on State Forest Recreation around Oregon, please visit our Salem Page.

For information about State Parks, County Parks, National Forests, and BLM recreation areas within Lane County please follow the links.
District Resources and Services
Fire Protection
This is a picture of a tree trunk burning on the Shaw Creek fire.
Western Lane District's fire protection program provides
fire prevention, fire detection, pre-suppression and fire suppression to our local forest wild lands. The District's headquarters is located in Veneta. District operations are supported by the subunit office in Florence. Learn more about Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act of 1997 and how to protect your home against forest fires.
Private Forest Program
This is a picture of an operator loading logs onto a log truck.
The Western Lane Private Forest Program is comprised of four stewardship foresters. Robin Biesecker, Paul Clements and Bob Johnson are located in the Veneta office and our fourth forester Jim Hall is located in our Florence office. The stewardship foresters promote and follow Oregon's Forest Practice Act, and apply it to all private operations be that industrial and non industrial.
Wood Cutting Permits-Are No Longer Available
This is a picture of a decked logs in the woods.
Wood cutting permits are no longer available on the Western Lane District. It is expected that we will have a good amount to issue after the 2012 fire season ends. The permits are on a first come, first serve basis. If you have recieved 2 (two) cords of wood or 2 (two) wood cutting permits within the current firewood cutting season (October 2011 to present) then you are ineligible for another permit through Western Lane District. The permits MUST be picked up at the office by the person who's name will be on the permit, no exceptions, no permits will be mailed and you need to have a vehicle description and matching license plate for the vehicle used to haul wood. The permits are free of charge and good for a maximum of 2 (two) cords of wood. There is more information about wood cutting permits from State Forests in other districts on the department's firewood cutting web page. You may also find the U.S. Forest Service to be useful, as well as the Bureau of Land Management.

Useful Links