Unity-Burnt River Fire District

• If this burning activity is a result of forest activities please contact your local ODF office. Forest activities are required to be registered with an E-Notification.
• If burning within Rural Fire District, piles must meet their safety requirements - proper size, clearance from structures/trees, having water and tools nearby.
• Only approved materials like yard debris can be burned. Many items like household trash are prohibited.
• Burns must be attended at all times and fully extinguished by sunset.
• Burning that causes a public hazard from smoke or fire can be extinguished and fined.
• Agriculture and forestry burns have separate rules and permitting from ODF.

In accordance with 477.515

• This permit does not relieve the permittee from responsibility for the payment of costs for suppression or for damages if the burning escapes control.
• Oregon law provides for civil and criminal penalties for burning which is conducted in a manner inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this permit.
• Burning conducted under this permit must be attended at all times.
• Burning in compliance with this permit does not exempt the permittee from compliance with any other applicable law, ordinance, regulation, rule, permit, order, or decree of this or any other governmental entity having jurisdiction.
• This permit does not purport to authorize any open burning of any material at any location, on any day or at any time which is otherwise prohibited. This permit does not change the rights and liabilities of the permittee which are delineated in Oregon Revised Statute Chapter 477. 

REGULATIONS

1. Open burning is allowed ONLY Outside Closed Fire Season and during Fire Season with valid ODF permit. Burning during any other dates may require a site inspection. Call your local ODF office for more information. 

• La Grande 541-963-3168
• Baker 541-523-5831
• Pendleton 541-276-3491
• Wallowa 541-886-2881

2. Piles shall be limited to 8 foot in diameter and 4 feet in height.

3. All open fires shall be constantly  attended by a competent  person until each fire is extinguished.

4. Attendant shall have a shovel and water readily available. 

5. The following minimum clearances  shall be  maintained at all times:

A. 40 feet from any structure; 20 feet away from trees

B. 10 feet from all other combustibles; clear away burnable material.

C. 5 feet from any property line.

6. Burn early in the day while temperatures are low and humidity is high. The permitted burning times are daylight hours. However, we recommend all burning be completed by 11am, if possible.

7. DO NOT BURN ON WINDY DAYS.

8. Never leave your fire unattended, even for a short period of time. ALL FIRES MUST BE EXTINGUISHED IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES

All open burning within fire district boundaries in Oregon shall comply with state laws, including the Oregon Fire Code. Unlawful fires may result in cost recovery fees, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) referral, and Oregon Department of Forestry citation when appropriate. Open burning rules shall be clearly posted on fire district websites and available in print. Rules shall use plain language compliant with the Oregon Plain Language Act. Outdoor fires during a declared fire district burn ban are a public safety hazard and may lead to fire district response, extinguishment, and cost recovery fees. 

Outdoor fires impairing roadway visibility are a hazard and may lead to fire district response, extinguishment, and possible cost recovery fees. Fires causing emergency medical response may lead to extinguishment and potential cost recovery fees.

Burn complaints are lower priority than emergency responses absent a hazard determination. Complaints shall be reported via published non-emergency lines and prioritized appropriately.  Commercial and industrial open burning are prohibited statewide.  Construction and demolition debris may be burned outside urban growth boundaries and restricted burn areas with proper permissions. Agricultural burning requires a special permit and compliance with all applicable Oregon Department of Agriculture rules.

Recreational fires must follow published size, setback, and safety requirements. Restrictions may apply during high fire danger. 

Backyard burning of approved materials is allowed in some areas on designated burn days. Check with your local fire district for specific rules. All burning must comply with state smoke management rules. Fires must be extinguished if smoke or odor affects others. Any unlawful or non-compliant burning is subject to immediate extinguishment and cost recovery fees.

Debris Burning

Debris burning in Oregon is regulated by state laws and local fire district rules. This document provides an overview of requirements for safe and legal debris burning.

Permits

• Contact your local fire district to determine if a permit is required for debris burning. Some areas require permits for pile burning.
• Permits from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) are required for slash burning. Agricultural burning also requires ODF permits.
• Burning without required permits may result in fines or other penalties.

Allowed Materials

• Only vegetation and woody natural materials from the property may be burned. This includes grass, leaves, needles, brush, and untreated wood.
• Burning of prohibited materials like garbage, plastics, rubber, petroleum products, and chemically treated materials is unlawful.

Pile Requirements

• Piles must be less than 10 ft x 10 ft x 10 ft in size and at least 50 feet from structures.
• Piles should be free of dirt and dried prior to burning.
• Only 2 piles may be burned at once if space allows.

Safety

• Fires must be attended at all times by an alert adult with adequate fire suppression tools.
• Adequate water and hand tools must be close by to extinguish the fire if needed.
• Burning must cease if winds exceed 10 mph or other weather conditions worsen.
• Fires must be fully extinguished by sunset or if smoke creates a hazard.

Air Quality

• Burning is only allowed on designated burn days. Contact your local fire district for updates.
• Smoke that impairs visibility on roadways or causes a health hazard is prohibited.
• DEQ may restrict burning during air quality advisories.

By following these terms and conditions, debris burning can be conducted safely and in compliance with Oregon laws. Failure to comply may result in civil penalties. 

Please burn responsibly.