Central Oregon fire chiefs are placing a burn ban into effect on April 30 due to abnormally warm weather. Debris burning will remain closed in some areas until fall.
An alert sent out by Redmond Fire and Rescue on April 13 stated that because of warm and dry conditions and declining fuel moisture, the risk for wildfire has increased throughout Central Oregon. The burn ban comes one month earlier than usual and will prohibit yard debris burning.
“We are getting some rain and snow now, but we haven’t got any for the past three months,” Dan Derlacki, deputy fire marshal for Bend Fire and Rescue, says. “We have had multiple escaped fire evacuations already from those throughout different fire agencies.”
A press release sent out Tuesday afternoon stated Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson and north Klamath Counties are abnormally dry with some areas in “severe” drought.
Small fires with controlled fuel sources like barbecues, recreational fires in approved pits will not be included in the ban. However, restrictions may be added in the future if weather conditions worsen.
According to Derlacki, fire chiefs across Central Oregon met around two weeks ago which is when they concluded to close all debris burning in the tri-county area of Crook, Jefferson and Deschutes counties at the end of April.
Penalties for people found burning will include an educational approach with a warning for first offenses. Second offenses will include a fine that can amount to $500 per offense. On days when there is an extreme fire danger, meaning hot, dry or windy conditions, some agencies may choose to give citations for a first offense.
“If you are burning, especially in the middle of summer, you can pretty much guarantee you’re going to get some sort of citation,” Derlacki says.
Derlacki told the Source the type of penalty, or if an agency even chooses to give any, will depend on the area and agency in that jurisdiction.
For example, RFR will be issuing fines starting at $335 for initial offenses, though it depends on severity, and determinations are typically made on the scene. This does not include potential costs for possible damage to neighboring properties, or firefighting and fire suppression costs.
“Often times we will receive a complaint from a citizen that someone is burning via our dispatch center. Fire crews along with personnel from Redmond’s Fire and Life Safety Division will educate and enforce the ban,” Fire Marshal for RFR Tom Mooney told the Source.
Derlacki says that community members perform debris burns for a number of reasons such as lack of transportation methods or recycling containers, cost effectiveness and ease.
Kimberly Katchur, public information officer for Deschutes County, told the Source that last year fire restrictions were set for all County-owned and unprotected land in the unincorporated areas of Deschutes. County officials are summitting this week to determine the fire restrictions process for this year.
Free yard debris disposal services will be coming back to Central Oregon cities — Bend, La Pine, Redmond, Sun River and Sisters — this May through June. Bend disposal days will be available from May 15 through 24.
Derlacki underscored the importance of community members always checking with their local fire agencies for regulations and guidelines.
“We always remind people to check with wherever you are going to be burning,” Derlacki says. “Everyone’s got slightly different rules. We all try to use the basics of them, but always check with your local fire agencies.”
Community members can check weather, local guidelines and updates at Oregon Department of Forestry’s website, Before You Burn.
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