Burn season starting in some areas; ODF fire season ending

The Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association announced that burn season will open on Saturday for many of the local fire districts regionally in Central Oregon.

With the recent precipitation received in areas, the Fire Chiefs local fire departments, the US Forest Service, the BLM and Oregon Department of Forestry have agreed that many areas are now safe to enter into burn season.

Even with many fire districts opening burn season, Central Oregon fire chiefs remind residents that they need to call their local fire district to ensure the district is allowing burning at this time, that it is a burn day, and to obtain any necessary permits.

“Even though we are entering burn season is many areas, some areas are still too dry for outdoor burning. In districts where burning is open weather conditions such as high winds or warm fall weather can make outdoor burning unsafe. Checking in with your local fire district is important,” explains Mike Supkis, chair of the Central Oregon Fire Chief’s Association.

“Residents that are in areas where outdoor burning is allowed will still be required to follow local agency regulations and closely monitor their pile to prevent spread to other combustibles,” adds Supkis.

The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District will be terminating fire season on Saturday.This means conditions are safe enough that Industrial Operations won’t be required to have their fire equipment on site while operating on private lands.

As previously mentioned, landowners who would like to burn will need to contact ODF and their local fire district to obtain the necessary permits. Also, the fire restrictions by the Board of County Commissioners for areas with no fire protection within Deschutes County, and all Deschutes County owned lands have been lifted.

There are several year-round burning bans as well in central Oregon: the city of Bend, the city of Sisters, and Sunriver. For residents who are uncomfortable burning or are not in areas where outdoor burning is allowed, the FireFree events will be available to residents in Deschutes and Jefferson County.

Jefferson County is hosting its second annual fall event at the Box Canyon Transfer Station October 24-25th & October 31-November 1st.

Deschutes County will host a fall event at Knott Landfill November 2nd-November 14th (closed November 8th & Veteran’s Day).

Central Oregon Fire Chief’s federal partners (US Forest Service & Bureau of Land Management) will be performing prescribed burns throughout the region. These prescribed burns will be conducted under carefully planned conditions such as: with federal fire resources, professional fire managers and firefighters on scene, favorable weather conditions and carefully planned land plots.

These prescribed burns improve forest health and reduce the forest fuels in order to lower the wildfire risk to our communities that is ever present later in the season when the conditions are even more extreme.

Visit the FireFree website at www.firefree.org or call 541-322-7129 for the FireFree dates or more information about how you can prepare your property for wildfire season.

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Oregon Department of Forestry

Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District is terminating fire season at 12:01 a.m. Saturday .

Widespread rain across the district last weekend, combined with forecast cool, moist weather patterns have brought an end to another long, difficult fire season. Oregon and the Pacific Northwest experienced the third historic fire season in a row ,with drought conditions across much of the landscape.

Burn permits are required for all open burning. Permits can be obtained from your local fire department or from the Department of Forestry. Follow all instructions on the burn permit prior to ignition. Ben Duda, Wildland Fire Suppression Specialist in Sisters emphasizes the need to call the local burn information line before you burn, explaining, “Debris burning may be closed on days with forecast high winds or poor smoke management conditions, such as poor mixing or wind blowing smoke toward populated areas. Since conditions change you really need to call daily.” Contact your local ODF office if you have questions regarding burn restrictions.

The termination of fire season doesn’t mean there is no risk of fire or threat of fire spread. Central Oregon has not experienced a widespread season ending rain event, however fire managers for the district believe the risk of large fire growth is low. Managers encourage landowners to hold off burning until a significant rain event. Practice fire safety and use caution in activities which could ignite a fire. Never leave a campfire or warming fire unattended and be certain it is DEAD OUT! before you leave. To fully extinguish a fire remember to douse the flames, stir, and douse again.

Regulations differ between land managers and landowners. Determine any additional restrictions imposed by landowners prior to traveling into the woods. Contact your local U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management office for current restrictions on federal forest and rangeland.

Now is the time to begin preparations for next year’s fire season. Technical advice for creating defensible space around your home and reducing hazardous fuels is available from local ODF offices. ODF Stewardship Foresters can also provide guidance for landowners who have been affected by fire, including suggestions for reforesting and planting native plants to provide improved soil stability and water quality.

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Outdoor debris burning within Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District No. 2 will open at sunrise on Saturday morning.

Outdoor debris burning within the city limits of Bend is prohibited, in accordance with city ordinance 5.30.005.

Prior to any burning, please check that you have answered or done all of the following:
-Have a copy of the Bend Fire Department Burn Regulations on hand?
-Called burn info line 541-322-6335 to make sure burning is open? Should be done every day you want to burn just to be sure.
-Is it OK to burn where you are located? Burning not allowed within the City of Bend.
-Have water or hose and a shovel to be used to maintain and put out the fire when done?
-Not too windy to burn? Burning may be closed on a day where high winds are projected.
-Made sure you are burning allowable materials?
-An adult (18+ years) present and maintaining the fire?
– Debris fires shall be fully extinguished before dark or before leaving the property. Campfires, warming fires and BBQ’s can continue after dark while attended.

The Bend Fire Department strongly recommends that those who chose to burn debris do so early in the day, prior to winds picking up that could spread a fire to nearby combustibles.

Campfires, recreational fires, warming fires and cooking fires are be permitted both, within the city of Bend and DCRFPD#2 as long as the proper safety precautions are followed, as outlined in the Bend Fire Department Burning Regulations.

Burn regulations can be picked up at any fire station in Bend or by downloading from our website: www.bendoregon.gov/burninginfo

As an alternative to burning yard debris, residents can dispose of their dead leaves, pine needles and branches at Deschutes Recycling for a reduced fee starting November 2nd until November 14th (closed on Sunday November 8th).

Deschutes Recycling is located at the Knott landfill. During the 12 days of the half-price sale, yard debris will be accepted for just $2 per yard! Bend area garbage companies also offer curbside pickup of yard debris for a minimal charge.
Bend Fire Department will respond to reports of illegal or unsafe burning when requested. But we ask that before you call 911 or our non-emergency dispatch (541-693-6911) that you attempt to make contact first to see if correction can be made without our intervention. This will help leave fire engines available for emergency fire and medical calls. If the fire has escaped, please call 911 immediately. For air quality complaints, please call Oregon DEQ at 541-388-6146.

As a reminder, debris burning regulations may vary between governmental jurisdictions within the Central Oregon area. Please contact your local fire agency for specific requirements and closures