Burn bans are increasing with the extreme heat this week.
Multnomah County
Multnomah Fire Defense Board Chief Scott Lewis has issued an outdoor burn ban effective Tuesday, August 1, 2017, in all areas of Multnomah County.
The burn ban has been issued due to forecasted high temperatures, limited rainfall and ongoing dry conditions.
The burn ban includes recreational campfires, fire pits, yard debris, agricultural burning and permits issued for open burning until further notice. Check with your local Fire Department/District for more information. For updated information please call the burning information line at:
--503-618-3083 for Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview, Fire District 10
--503-695-2225 for Corbett Fire District 14
--503-621-1242 for Sauvie Island District 30
--503-823-3700 for Portland Fire & Rescue general information
Outdoor barbecuing is still allowed; however, citizens should exercise extreme caution. When using charcoal briquettes please properly dispose of ashes in a covered metal container away from combustibles, and keep the ashes wet for a few days before properly disposing of them. Maintain at least ten feet between outdoor cooking and anything combustible such as siding, fences, shrubbery, etc.
Smokers are reminded to ensure their cigarettes are truly out and placed in proper receptacles.
Those living in rural areas are asked to maintain their defensible space by monitoring growth surrounding homes and structures, and to maintain adequate access for firefighting equipment.
Clackamas County
Clackamas Fire District #1 fire officials have issued a total outdoor burn ban for all areas within the Fire District and moved the fire danger level to EXTREME, beginning Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.
The burn ban was issued due to high temperatures, extremely dry conditions, and lack of any recent rainfall. The Fire District will likely stay in a total burn ban until the end of fire season and conditions change, said Deputy Chief Doug Whiteley.
The ban includes recreational campfires, fire pits, yard debris, and agricultural burning. Fire District officials won't be issuing any burn permits until further notice.
People living in rural areas are encouraged to takes steps to protect their homes and structures by maintaining defensible space from any vegetation. Additionally they should ensure adequate access on their property to firefighting equipment.
Smokers should ensure cigarettes are completely extinguished and thrown away in proper receptacles. Unlawful outdoor fires during a declared fire district-wide burn ban are deemed a hazard to public safety and could result in a Fire District response, fire extinguishment, and invoicing of cost recovery fees for Fire District actions taken.
Washington County
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue will ban all outdoor burning in its service area which includes Aloha, Beaverton, Durham, King City, Newberg, North Plains, Rivergrove, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin, West Linn, Wilsonville and unincorporated portions of Washington, Clackamas, Multnomah and Yamhill counties effective Monday, July 10. This ban is coordinated with Washington County Fire Defense Board and Oregon Department of Forestry.
The burn ban prohibits all of the following:
•All backyard or open burning (branches, yard debris, etc.)
•All agricultural burning (agricultural wastes, crops, field burning, etc.)
•All other land clearing or slash burning
The burn ban does not prohibit:
•Small backyard recreational fire pits (maximum 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high) with clean, dry firewood, natural gas, briquettes or propane
•Outdoor fireplaces and portable fireplaces (chimineas, etc.) with clean, dry firewood, natural gas, briquettes or propane
•Permitted fireworks displays with designated fall-out zones & safety plans
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 weather and fuel conditions present less fire risk.
TVF&R urges residents to use extreme caution with smoking materials, barbecues, and other open flames. Visit our website at www.tvfr.com for more tips, including how to protect a home located in a wildland urban interface from potential wildfire.