During the recent stretch of nice weather in the Willamette Valley, regional fire crews have been dispatched to several grass and brush fires. Now fire officials are urging everyone to practice fire safety.
Seasoned firefighters like John Flannigan warn that once there is ignition, fire can spread fast.
“Particularly blackberries,” he said. “You know, older blackberries. They burn really hot and they throw a lot of spot fires and they catch a lot of people off guard.”
Flannigan is the Unit Forester for the Oregon Department of Forestry out of Springfield. He advised residents to know the burn restrictions where you live.
If it’s legal, then Flannigan said, “you want to be sure you have a good clearing around your burn. You stay in attendance. You have some water or tools to take care of any problems that might come up.”
In other words, be careful.
Flannigan said his unit sent engines, dozers and hand crews to the Sweet Home Unit on Wednesday to fight a large brush fire in the Wiley Creek area. This is the third and largest fire that Sweet Home Fire District and ODF have responded to since last Friday. The first two fires are believed to be human-caused, Flannigan added.
Over his career, Flannigan said he has been on significant fires during every month of the year in Oregon and springtime has fire risks like any other season.
“It can happen any time of year,” he said.
Regional rundown of outdoor burning restrictions
January’s ice storm left behind lots of woody debris. As residents continue to clean up, they may consider burning downed branches and brush. It’s important to know the rules for backyard burning. Here’s a refresher:
There are places where residential outdoor debris burning is never allowed.
Residential outdoor debris burning within the city limits of Eugene is always prohibited, year-round. Outside the city limits and inside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), backyard burning is allowed on lots that are two acres or larger. Burns may start at 9 a.m. and fires must be completely extinguished by 6 p.m.
Outdoor burning is always prohibited within the city limits of Florence.
Inside the city limits of Springfield and the surrounding UGB, on lots smaller than a half an acre, residential outdoor burning is prohibited. On lots larger than half an acre, burning may start at 9 a.m. and fires must be completely extinguished by 6 p.m.
In most of the Willamette Valley, open burning of yard debris is only allowed on a seasonal basis. Spring outdoor burn season is March 1 through June 15. These dates may be adjusted due to elevated fire danger. Before starting a burn, residents must check the daily advisory from LRARA.
Burning grass clippings is prohibited throughout Lane County. So is outdoor barrel burning. Fallen leaves may not be burned within the urban growth boundary of Eugene and Springfield.
In Linn County, burn season is from March 1 to June 15 and Oct. 1 to Dec. 15. Open and agricultural burning is regulated by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ.) Before burning, contact the Linn County Burn Line at 541-451-1904 to learn whether it’s allowed.
Seasonal outdoor burning restrictions apply in Oakridge, West Fir and up to six miles beyond the city limits in the Corvallis and Salem-Keizer areas.
MATERIALS THAT CANNOT BE BURNED AT ANY TIME
DEQ regulations prohibit open burning of the following materials at any time, anywhere in the state of Oregon:
- Rubber products, including tires
- Asbestos products
- Animal remains
- Plastic
- Wet garbage
- Petroleum and petroleum-treated debris
- Asphalt or industrial waste
- Any material that creates dense smoke or noxious odors
- Auto parts and wire insulation
This means the use of a tire, gasoline, diesel and other like products to ignite a fire is also prohibited. To ignite, it is recommended to cover the pile to keep it dry, then start with paper and a match.
NOTE: Regulations for recreational fires, such as campfires or backyard fire pits, are often different from those for debris fires. The city of Eugene has a flow chart to help determine what regulations apply within city limits and the UGB.
