Wasco Co. debris burn ban lifted Saturday

Escaped debris burns remain a leading cause of destructive fires on private and public lands. ODF fire managers and the Wasco County fire chiefs remind residents they need to read the burn permit issued to them to ensure that burning is allowed on a given day, and to follow all instructions after obtaining any necessary permits. Wind is a big factor that can affect the spread of fire from debris piles. Watch the weather forecasts and ensure you have a fire-safe area cleared around your pile, with water and tools readily available.

Monitor your pile until it has consumed and is completely out, as unattended piles can rekindle and spread at a later time without warning. Fire Districts under ORS 478 as well as ODF under ORS 477 have the authority to recover costs involving response to a fire that, due to negligence, escapes from a debris burn and develops into a wildfire. In other words, an escaped burn can be extremely costly to a homeowner.

Our federal partners (United States Forest Service & Bureau of Land Management) will also begin performing prescribed burns throughout the region. These prescribed burns will be conducted under carefully planned fuel and weather conditions with federal fire, state and local fire resources. These prescribed burns improve forest health and reduce the forest fuels in order to lower the wildfire risk to our communities that is ever present later in the season when the conditions are even more extreme.

Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, through grant funding from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office, is funding free yard debris disposal at The Dalles Disposal Transfer Station for residents of the district Oct. 19, Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 9 and Nov. 16. Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Bob Palmer encourages residents to choose this option rather than burning.

“Escaped burning continues to be a significant factor in unwanted outdoor fires,” he said. “It only takes a little wind and an ember to start a catastrophic fire regardless moderated weather conditions.”

Permits are issued on private land south of the Mosier & MCFR districts. This includes property within Tygh Valley, Wamic and Juniper Flats Rural Fire Districts.

Local burn information phone numbers

Mosier Fire District, 541-478-3333

Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue, 541-296-9445

Tygh Valley Rural Fire Protection District, 541-993-4266

Dufur Volunteer Fire Department, 541-467-2349

Wamic Rural Fire Protection District, 541-544-2338

Juniper Flat Fire Protection District, 541-328-6388

Shaniko Volunteer Fire Department, 541-508-4688

Antelope Fire Department, 541-489-3201

Maupin Fire Department, 541-395-2698

Oregon Department of Forestry, 541-296-4626