BURN INFORMATION

BACKYARD BURN SEASON OPENS MARCH 1, 2025

 

Backyard Burning

Backyard burning is only allowed during specified hours each day (determined by DEQ and ODF) during the spring (March 1 to June 15) and fall (October 1 to December 15). This allows for limited outdoor burning of yard debris, leaves and tree trimmings in accordance with DEQ rules. Burning items like household waste, construction materials, and plastics are prohibited. A full list of prohibited materials are listed in the linked fact sheet below.

Setbacks:

Backyard burning shall not be conducted within 50 feet of any structure or other combustible material. Conditions which could cause the fire to spread within 50 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition. 

Exception: 

The setback from structures and other combustible materials may be reduced to:

  • not less than 15 feet when burning is conducted in an approved burning appliance (such as a burn barrel).
  • not less than 25 feet when the burn pile size is 3 feet, or less, in diameter and 2 feet, or less, in height.

Oregon Fire Code section 307.5


Attendance:

Backyard burning shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. Not few than one (1) portable fire extinguisher, complying with Oregon Fire Code section 906, with a minimum 4-A rating, or other approved on-site fire extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate utilization. 

Oregon Fire Code section 307.5

When finished, soak the burned area thoroughly. 


Agricultural Debris Burning

Agricultural debris burning is limited to genuine agricultural waste. Agricultural waste is material generated by an agricultural operation that uses, or intends to use, land primarily for the purpose of obtaining a profit in money by raising, harvesting and selling crops, or raising and selling animals (including poultry), or the products of animal husbandry. Prohibited materials cannot be burned, even in an agricultural setting. Prohibited materials are listed in the linked fact sheet below. Just because you live in a rural area, doesn't automatically allow you to burn during agricultural burn season.  Agricultural Debris Burning is allowed outside of high fire danger times, typically January 1st to June 15th, and October 1st to December 31st (these dates are subject to change based on fire danger conditions).  We follow DEQ requirements and listed burn times on their website, so it is important to check their website and look for the AGRICULTURAL burning burn times below.  DEQ updates their page daily.

 

CLICK HERE TO SEE IF TODAY IS A BURN DAY

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DEQ OUTDOOR BURNING FACT SHEET

 

  • Small warming, cooking or recreation fires are allowed.  These must always remain small and be attended and put completely out when done.  Only clean dry wood or charcoal is allowed to burn in these types of fires, no garbage or household waste may be burned at any time.

  • When Banks Fire District declares a High Fire Danger Burn Ban, it will supersede these rules.