Reminder – burn bans are in effect for the Portland Metro area due to increased fire danger.
During Fire Season no open fires of any kind are allowed; including backyard, agricultural or open burning. This also includes recreational fires, camping fires, or backyard fire pit fires. Gas, briquette, or pellet type barbeques are still allowed but should be used with extreme caution, with extra care given to coal and embers. Generally, no open flame fires will be allowed.
Multnomah County
Due to extreme fire conditions the Multnomah County Fire Defense Board announces the official declaration of a Burn Ban effective September 8, 2011, at 8:00 a.m. Burn Bans are formally declared in Oregon on a County by County basis. This includes the Cities of Portland, Gresham, Fairview, Troutdale, Wood Village as well as Corbett, Sauvie Island and all unincorporated areas of Multnomah County. The burn ban will be in effect until further notice.
Washington County
Due to extreme fire conditions, the Washington County Fire Defense Board has implemented a burn ban effective immediately, September 9, 2011. The burn ban will be in effect until further notice. Following that decision, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue has also banned all outdoor open burning within its jurisdiction, including areas served in Multnomah and Clackamas County.
The Burn Ban includes the following situations:
1. Recreational burning, including cooking fires, and backyard fire pits.
2. Backyard burning
3. Agricultural burning
4. Land clearing or slash burning (not associated with Oregon Department of Forestry jurisdiction)
5. Ceremonial type fires.
Typically, burn bans allow some open burning. Because of dry conditions, high temperatures and winds TVF&R asks than no outdoor burning take place. In these extreme fire conditions, one spark can cause a catastrophic wildfire. Individuals found to be in violation of these requirements during the burn ban, may be held liable for the cost of extinguishment and for any property damage resulting from an illegal fire. The burn ban will remain in effect until cooler temperatures minimize the fire danger.
Clackamas County
Due to extreme fire conditions, the Clackamas County Fire Defense Board is implementing a burn ban (level E) as of 1:00 am, September 7th, 2011. The burn ban will be in effect until further notice. Details regarding this burn ban and what individuals can do to keep themselves and their neighbors safe will be released by or before 9:00 am, September 7th.
This burn ban was put into effect due to the extremely dry conditions, high temperatures, low humidity and winds that the area will be experiencing over the next week. During this burn ban no open fires of any kind are allowed, including recreational fires, camping fires or backyard fire pit fires. Basically, no open flame fires will be allowed until further notice. Gas barbecue’s or pellet-type barbecue’s are still allowed but should be used with extreme caution.
Anyone found to have an open fire during this burn ban will likely have it extinguished by their local fire department and could be issued a citation or warning for this violation.