Outdoor debris burning opens Oct. 1 for Bend’s surrounding rural area

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Outdoor debris burning will open at sunrise tomorrow, Oct. 1, in the Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District #two. Central Oregon fire agencies approved the opening after determining that cooler temperatures, recent precipitation and a moderate regional fire danger level made burning safe to conduct.

Central Oregon fire agencies work collaboratively to establish burning schedules based on localized weather patterns and safety assessments. While burning is opening in the rural fire protection district, debris burning remains permanently banned within Bend city limits. Open fires are also prohibited on public land owned by the City of Bend, Deschutes County or the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Campfires, recreational fires, warming fires and cooking fires are permitted within the city of Bend and surrounding rural areas if safety guidelines are followed. Bend Fire & Rescue advises residents in rural areas to call the burning status hotline at 541-322-6335 prior to lighting a fire, as weather conditions can change quickly and prompt closures.

Permits are required for agricultural fires, special fires such as bonfires or pit fires and large fires greater than six feet in diameter. Before lighting a fire, residents must clear a 10-foot perimeter around the burn area and keep water or a hose and hand tools nearby in case the fire escapes.

Fires must be completely extinguished when completed, ensuring the ground is cold to the touch to prevent rekindling. Failure to follow local burning regulations can result in a citation or a report to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

Learn more about burn permits and regulations at bendoregon.gov/burninginfo.