Cloverdale Fire District reminder: Burning season over

On Tuesday, Cloverdale firefighters responded to two reports of the illegal burning of yard debris. In both cases firefighters found residents of the fire district burning items in their yards. The people that were burning said that they did not know that burn season was closed.

Fire Chief Thad Olsen said Wednesday he would like to remind residents of Sisters Country that open burning of yard waste and other debris is prohibited in all Deschutes County fire districts.

Burning season has been closed in the Black Butte, Cloverdale and Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Districts since May 1st due to the dry conditions of fuels in the area.

“A simple, small debris fire can easily escape and get into nearby brush or vegetation and cause an uncontrolled fire,” Olsen said in a news release.

The U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry and Deschutes County have all instituted upgraded fire use restrictions due to the drought and extremely dry vegetation.

Both of the fires on Tuesday were near public roadways. If you see someone that appears to be burning anything in their yard, please call 911 immediately.

“Firefighters would much rather have the opportunity to educate our residents than fight an escaped burn with the possibility of injury or damage to someone’s house or business,” Olsen said.