Alfafla homeowner cited for escaped burn

An Alfalfa homeowner has been cited for illegal open burning after a fire he began in a burn barrel escaped and burned about three acres Friday afternoon, authorities said Sunday.

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies responded around 3:25 p.m. Friday to 62645 Dodds Road on reports of a growing fire, though no structures were immediately threatened, said Sgt. Troy Gotchy.

The area is outside any fire protection district, so Central Oregon fire managers and the county assessed the blaze and determined no structures were immediately threatened, then deputies left the scene, Gotchy said.

Deputies closed Dodds Road between Alfalfa Market and Walker roads for over an hour while more than 20 area residents helped the property owner contain and put out the blaze, Gotchy said.

Sheriff’s deputies contacted residents at several homes in the area to be on alert, should the fire rekindle, but Gotchy said that did not take place. No injuries were reported.

Katie Lighthall, Project Wildfire program director, and Deschutes County Forester Ed Keith called it a vivid to residents in Central Oregon that fire season is upon us and residents cannot be too cautious or too prepared for wildfire.

Deschutes County and Project Wildfire reminded residents and landowners that outdoor burning of debris and agricultural burns are not allowed.

Outdoor burning season officially closed in all rural and municipal fire protection districts on June 3. The burning closure also affected any outdoor burning in the “unprotected” areas of Deschutes County (those 175,000 acres with no structural or wildland fire protection), as in the case of Friday’s blaze.

“The hot summer weather is finally upon us, and the risk of a fast-moving fire in grass, weeds and brush is greatly increased,” Keith warned. “Our breezy afternoons, coupled with the abundance of dry vegetation, potential lightning or an illegal debris burn can lead to disaster.”

In addition to compliance with the burn ban, Project Wildfire and Deschutes County recommended that residents and landowners take precautionary steps to reduce the risk of fire ignitions around homes and properties by creating defensible space and fuel breaks along property lines.

“Keeping grass and weeds cut to 4 inches or less will help prevent losses from fires this summer,” Lighthall recommended.

Defensible space around homes is the key to surviving wildfire events. Lighthall suggests that during the hottest part of fire season, residents should increase the minimum 30 feet of defensible space to 50 feet or more, given that Central Oregon is prone to windy afternoons that can increase the rate of fire spread exponentially.

If residential lots do not provide 30 feet of space between homes, residents should take extra care to clean up around the home and lot to the property line and encourage neighbors to do the same.

In addition, she said, residents should consider the potential of ember showers from nearby fires that can deposit glowing embers around homes and ignite fires. Cleaning out gutters, roof valleys and under decks will help keep unwanted fire away from homes.

“Residents are our greatest resource when it comes to protecting homes, properties and neighborhoods,” Lighthall added.

Residents are strongly encouraged to contact their local fire protection agencies for additional information and specifics regarding any regulations on the use of chain saws, warming fires, BBQs or ATVs.

For more information about how you can prepare homes and properties for wildfire, visit www.FireFree.org or www.firewise.org.