Oregon’s new online service guides residents on safe burning practices

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) Oregon fire protection partners launched a new digital tool to help residents prevent escaped debris burns, which officials identified as the leading cause of human-caused wildfires in the state.

The "Before You Burn" service is available as both a website and a mobile application to provide residents with simple guidance on burning regulations and prevention measures based on their specific location.

The Oregon Department of Forestry responds to an average of 225 fires each year that result from escaped debris burns. Developed over a two-year period, the new tool is a collaboration between the department, the Western Fire Chiefs Association, the Keep Oregon Green Association, the Department of Environmental Quality and structural fire departments across the state.

Residents using the tool are prompted to enter their address to receive immediate information on whether burning is currently allowed in their specific location. If burning is permitted, the system provides instructions on local regulations, such as requirements for registering a burn or filing for a permit.

Levi Hopkins serves as the deputy chief of policy and planning for the Oregon Department of Forestry Protection Division. Hopkins said the agency intends for the tool to serve as a single point of information for the entire state. "We're hoping that a central resource for all Oregonians will take the guess work out of who regulates burns and what the process might be for an allowed burn, for residents in any location around the state," Hopkins said.

The "Before You Burn" tool is designed specifically for backyard debris burning and does not provide guidance for other activities. It does not cover regulations for campfires, agricultural burns or the burning of forest slash from harvest operations. For those types of burning, the department advises residents to contact their local fire or air quality agency.

Officials warned that engaging in prohibited burning can lead to significant financial penalties. Individuals may be held liable for wildfire suppression costs, which the department noted can reach millions of dollars for a single fire.

Hopkins described the use of the website or app as an easy preventative measure for homeowners. "Checking this new resource is a quick, simple step to take before causing Oregon's next wildfire," Hopkins said.