Because this year’s drought conditions put the state at higher wildfire risks, the Oregon Department of Forestry and other fire prevention experts urge caution when disposing of yard debris this spring.
May is Wildfire Awareness Month, which is a great time to trim flammable trees and bushes and tidy up plants around homes to create a “defensible space.”
Alternatives to burning are urged, such as composting or recycling, options for which are available through local disposal companies, such as Sweet Home Sanitation at (541) 367-2535 or http://www.sweethomesanitation.com/. Covers are encouraged atop piles to keep them dry until fall. Delaying burn plans will give the debris more time to cure and avoid spring holdover fires, as fire risk increases with hotter, drier weather. About 70% of Oregon wildfires are human-caused, with debris-burning leading the culprits.
“We expect this year to be another dry fire season, so the more we can reduce human-caused fires the better,” Fire Protection Division Chief Mike Shaw said. “Fire prevention is something that all Oregonians should have at the forefront of their mind. Humans cause the majority of Oregon’s fires, but they can also prevent them.”
If burning now is the only option to dispose of yard debris, fire prevention specialists ask people to follow safe burning practices. The following tips can help stop run-away burn piles:
— Call before burning. Burning regulations vary by location depending on weather and fuel conditions. Check with local Oregon Department of Forestry districts, fire protective associations, fire departments or air protection authorities before burning to learn about current burning restrictions or regulations, and whether a permit is necessary. Consult the map at https://bit.ly/39oP0JW for more information.
— Know the weather. Burn early in the day and never burn on dry or windy days, because fires can spread out of control more easily.
— Clear a 10-foot fuel-free buffer around the pile. Make sure there are no tree branches or power lines above.
— Keep burn piles small. Large burn piles can cast hot embers long distances. Keep piles small, maximum of 4- by 4-feet. Add debris to piles in small amounts as it burns.
— Always have water and fire tools nearby. Have a charged water hose or a bucket of water and shovel on hand to put out fires when burning. Drown the pile with water, stir the coals and drown again, repeating until the fire is out.
— Stay with the fire until it is out. State laws require monitoring of debris burn piles from start to finish. This law is intended to ensure sparks or embers that jump from the fire can be extinguished quickly.
— Recheck burn piles. They can retain heat for several weeks and restart when the weather warms up and winds blow.
— Never use gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids to start or accelerate fires.
— Burn only yard debris. State laws prohibit burning materials or trash that create dense smoke or noxious odors.
— Costs of run-away debris burns. State law requires the proper clearing, building, attending and extinguishing of open fires. Debris burns that spread out of control may result in suppression costs as well as property damage. This can be extremely expensive.
More tips on wildfire prevention, including campfire safety, motorized equipment use, and fire-resistant landscaping can be found at https://keeporegongreen.org/. Find public use restrictions for Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands at https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html.