The Linn County Fire Defense Board – representing the fire agencies of Albany, Brownsville, Halsey-Shedd, Harrisburg, Lebanon, Scio, Sweet Home and Tangent – has announced a delay in the start of the fall outdoor burning season. Originally set for Oct. 1, the new start date will be Oct. 15. This decision was made in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) due to ongoing fire safety concerns.
The 2024 fire season has been one of the most severe in Oregon’s history. Data from the ODF shows that more than 2,400 fires have occurred statewide this year. Of these, 89 were classified as “large fires,” each burning over 1,000 acres, with potentially 50 of them caused by human activity. In total, more than 1.9 million acres have burned, setting a new record for the state.
The decision to delay the fall burning season is driven by ongoing fire risk conditions. Despite cooler temperatures typical for fall, Oregon is still experiencing unusually dry weather, with low humidity levels and dry vegetation that continue to fuel fire hazards. These factors, combined with strong seasonal winds, create an elevated risk of wildfires spreading rapidly if outdoor burning is allowed too soon.
Burning during this extended closed season could significantly worsen the current fire situation. As a result, the LCFD Board and ODF have enacted stricter regulations to ensure public safety. It is critical for residents to comply with these restrictions to avoid further strain on firefighting resources and help prevent additional fires.
Alternatives to Open Burning: Recycle paper products; dispose of waste at a landfill; compost yard debris and kitchen scraps; reuse old lumber; use a chipper to create mulch or compost; organize a neighborhood cleanup day; take hazardous materials like oil-based paints, solvents, garden chemicals and car fluids to a hazardous waste collection site.
Burning these materials is illegal and dangerous.
The LCFD Board and ODF will review conditions as the Oct. 15 start date approaches. For updates on the outdoor burning season, call the Linn County Burn Line at 541.451.1904 or check the Willamette Valley Open Burning Announcement at smkmgt.com/burn.php.