Central Oregon fire chiefs announce seasonal open debris burning period will close at sunset on Friday, May 31st

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association announced Thursday it is closing open debris burning for residential and private lands across the tri-county region in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties on Friday of next week. 

Burning debris piles on many private lands will not be allowed after sunset on Friday, May 31st, as the area heads into the summer wildland fire season. 

“The region’s fire chiefs met and collectively agreed to close burning for the season for the safety of their residents, due to more consistent warmer and drier conditions in the forecast,” said COFCA Chair Todd Riley, fire chief for Bend Fire & Rescue.

The Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association strongly urges residents to create defensible space on their property. Until the burn season opens again in the fall, options include chipping the debris, hauling it to a local landfill or transfer site, or pile and cover it until fall.

Residents should contact their local fire protection agencies for additional burning information and regulations. 

All Central Oregon fire departments and rural fire districts will continue to monitor weather and fuel moisture conditions in their districts and may make modifications on a day-to-day basis.  Please call your local outdoor burning information line for current conditions. Fire agencies anticipate the opening of burn season again in late fall.  

Links to Central Oregon fire agency web pages can be found HERE.