ODF and Keep Oregon Green Urge People to Burn Responsibly to Prevent Fires
The Oregon Department of Forestry and other five prevention experts urge the public to exercise caution when disposing of yard debris this spring.
Over 70% of wildfires in Oregon are human-caused, with debris burning being the #1 cause. As the weather gets hotter and fuels begin to dry out, the risk of a debris burn escaping increases.
Now is the time to trim trees, bushes and tidy up plants around your home to create a "defensible space" around your property. As you begin spring clean-up, the Oregon Department of Forestry and Keep Oregon Green urge you to put some extra thought into how you plan to dispose of your yard debris.
Call your local ODF office before burning to make sure the weather conditions are safe. You can also cover part of the pile with plastic and keep it dry until the rainy fall and winter seasons and when it's safer to burn. Delaying your plans will give the debris more time to cure and avoid spring holdover fires as fire risk increases with hotter, drier weather.
By choosing alternative disposal methods or burning under safe conditions outside of fire season, Oregonians can significantly reduce the risk of creating a large wildfire.
Remember, outdoor debris burning is prohibited in southwest Oregon during fire season. ODF officials said the 2024 fire season will begin on or before June 1st.
More tips on wildfire prevention can be found on the Keep Oregon Green website.
Find public use restrictions for ODF-protected lands before you burn.
Posted on 5/16/24 10:05AM by Sam Marsh
