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Outdoor Burning

Outdoor Burning

Outdoor burning is regulated by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), as well as Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), and Oregon Department of Agriculture, depending on the type of burning. Outdoor burning is a source of air pollution which can have negative health impacts. For complete information, go to DEQ’s page on Outdoor Burning in Oregon, which is the source of the information below. 

 Check Before You Burn

Burning regulations are not the same in all areas and can vary with weather, fuel conditions, and types of material. If you are planning to burn, check with your local ODF district, fire protection district, or air protection authority to learn if there are any current burning restrictions in effect, and whether a permit is required:

AgencyPhone Number (Non-Emergency)
Adair Rural Fire & Rescue541-745-7212
Albany FD541-451-1904
Alsea RFPD541-487-8701
Blodgett-Summit RFPD541-453-4406
Corvallis FD541-766-6961 Burning Advisory: 541-766-6971 (generally updated after 8:15 a.m.)
Hoskins-Kings Vly RFPD541-929-2111
Monroe RFPD541-847-5170 Outdoor Burning Advisory Line: (541)-847-6166
Philomath F&RBurn Permit line: 541-360-0030 Burn advisory line: 541-929-5903 (updated after 8:30am)

More information

Materials That Can be Burned

Check Open Burning Restrictions by County and Area.

Materials That Cannot be Burned

DEQ regulations prohibit open burning of the following materials at anytime, anywhere in Oregon:

  • Wet garbage
  • Plastic
  • Asbestos
  • Wire insulation
  • Automobile parts
  • Asphalt
  • Petroleum treated materials
  • Painted wood and wood treated with creosote or pentachlorophenol
  • Rubber products including tires
  • Animal remains
  • Animal or vegetable matter resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking or service of food
  • Any other material that emits dense smoke or noxious odors

Requirements Applicable to Any Burning, When Allowed by Fire Authority

  • You are responsible for any fire, smoke or odors created from open burning and for any damage that results from your fire.
  • A responsible person must constantly attend any open burning.
    • This person must be capable of and have the equipment to extinguish the fire.
    • This person must also completely extinguish a fire before leaving it.
  • The burning must be conducted between the hours of 7:30 AM and two hours before sunset.
  • No burning can occur during a period when prohibited by the Department of Environmental Quality or the State Fire Marshal because of adverse fire safety, meteorological, or air quality conditions.
  • If you plan to move debris from one site to another and burn it you need a DEQ permit.
    These are in addition to requirements by local fire authorities.

It is Against the Law to Conduct any Open Burning That

  • Unreasonably interferes with enjoyment of life or property;
  • Creates a public or private nuisance; or
  • Creates a hazard to public safety

Choose Alternatives to Open Burning

File a Complaint

Web Links

Burn Tips

Burn backyard debris safely. A burn pile is less likely to escape control if these simple safety tips are followed:

  • Check the regulations before you burn
    Burning regulations are not the same in all areas and can vary with weather and fuel conditions. If you’re planning to burn, check with your local ODF district, fire protective association, or air protection authority to learn if there are any current burning restrictions in effect, and whether a permit is required.
  • Know the weather forecast
    Never burn on dry or windy days. These conditions make it easy for an open burn to spread out of control.
  • Clear a 10-foot radius around your pile
    Also make sure there are no tree branches or power lines above.
  • Keep your burn pile small
    A large burn may cast hot embers long distances. Small piles, 4 x 4 feet, are recommended. Add debris in small amounts as existing material is consumed.
  • Always have water and fire tools on site
    When burning, have a charged water hose, bucket of water, and shovel and dirt nearby to extinguish the fire. Drown the pile with water, stir the coals, and drown again, repeating till the fire is DEAD out.
  • Stay with the fire until it is completely out
    Monitoring a debris burn from start to finish until dead out is required by state law to ensure that any escaped sparks or embers can be extinguished quickly. Go back and recheck old burn piles, as they can retain heat for several weeks and then rekindle when the weather warms and wind begins to blow.
  • Never use gasoline or other accelerants
    No flammable or combustible liquids to start or increase your open fire. Every year, 10 to 15 percent of all burn injuries treated at the Oregon Burn Center in Portland are the result of backyard debris burning.
  • Burn only yard debris
    State regulations prohibit the open burning of any material that creates dense smoke or noxious odors.
  • Escaped debris burns are costly
    State law requires the proper clearing, building, attending and extinguishing of open fires any time of year. A first-time citation carries a $110 fine. If your debris burn spreads out of control, you are responsible for the cost of fire suppression and very likely the damage to neighboring properties. This can range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars.        
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