THE GORGE — The following burn bans are now in effect or will be going into effect this month. Updates will be posted at columbiagorgenews.com as information becomes available.
Wasco County
The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Wasco County Board of County Commissioners and county fire districts issued a debris burn ban effective 12:01 a.m. June 10. The timing of this debris burn ban coincides with ODF’s Central Oregon District declaring fire season, which also occurred at 12:01 a.m. on June 10.
The purpose of the debris burn ban is to ensure the safety of Wasco County residents and is an effort to prevent human caused wildfires going into the 2024 summer fire season. While Wasco County has had a mild spring, wildfire safety is of the utmost importance to fire managers across Wasco County. Human activities are the number one cause of wildfire starts in Oregon and this burn ban aims to reduce that statistic. All residents are urged to abide by these restrictions and educate those who may be unaware of their importance.
This debris burn ban restricts the use of fire to dispose of backyard woody material through general property clean up, or from slash created from forestry work, and includes slash piles and burn barrels. The ban differs from other restrictions administered through ODF’s Regulated Use Closure (like public use restrictions), which typically goes into effect in early July. Until Regulated Use Closure goes into effect, activities such as small campfires are still allowed.Â
During this time, residents are encouraged to check piles they burned through the spring to ensure there is no residual heat that could rekindle as conditions heat up and dry out.
In addition, residents are encouraged to use alternative methods for disposing of yard debris such as composting or chipping.
ODF thanks everyone for acting in the prevention of wildfire ignitions. For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including Wildfire Restrictions & Closures, contact information, and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
Klickitat County
Burn Ban Zone 3
Klickitat County is establishing a ban on open outdoor burning for Klickitat County Burn Ban Zone 3. Said ban on open outdoor burning will be in full force and effect from Monday, June 17 until rescinded.
Zone 3 is defined as lands between the western boundaries of Klickitat County Fire Districts 4, 12 and 15, north on the Klickitat River to the north county line, to the west county line, to include but not limited to Klickitat County Fire Districts 1, 3, 8 and 13, outside the jurisdiction of the Yakama Indian Nation, jurisdiction of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the jurisdiction of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
The issuance of burning permits is prohibited except for authorized agricultural burning. Residential barbecues will be allowed.
At the discretion of the fire chief, Fire Protection Districts are exempt from this ban for the purposes of live fire training activities. The public is directed to check with the appropriate authorities concerning burning restrictions within the corporate limits of any city or town.
For clarity, the zone boundaries follow fire district boundaries as much as possible. Maps detailing the zone boundaries have been created and are available to view and download on the KCDEM webpage.
Klickitat County Burn Ban Zone One went into effect on May 20, and Klickitat County Burn Ban Zone Two on June 3. The full resolution and KC Burn Ban maps can be viewed online at www.klickitatcounty.org/1242/Burn-Bans-Zones-and-Notices.
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