[Prineville, Ore.]
Two wildfires reported Wednesday within Oregon Department of Forestry’s Prineville-Sisters
Unit were related to uncontrolled debris burns.
Burning of debris and other vegetation on lands protected by ODF require
a permit and debris burning in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties closed
on May 31st for lands within many local fire districts. Despite recent rain, fuels and vegetation in
central Oregon continue to see the effects of long-term drought. Warm temperatures and wind can quickly dry
fine fuels, allowing them to readily catch fire. Landowners should check with local fire
departments or Oregon Department of Forestry to determine if burning is
allowed.
West River Road Fire was reported just after
noon Wednesday, burning just less than an acre before firefighters from ODF and
LaPine Rural Fire Department were able to stop the spread. The larger Fremont
Fire was reported at 2:30 p.m. north of Sisters. ODF firefighters worked alongside
firefighters from Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department, Cloverdale Rural Fire
Department, Black Butte Fire Department, and the U.S. Forest Service to control
the fire at approximately two acres.
Areas where burning has been accomplished in
the last few weeks, or even earlier this spring should be checked for smoke and
heat. Carefully checking burn piles can
be done with a bare hand; if the area is too hot to touch it should not be left
unattended. Ensure fires are completely
out by stirring with water and exposing any unburned material. Do not cover the pile with mud or dirt and continue
to check the area regularly. If you are
unable to maintain control of your fire, or if it moves outside the intended burn
area call 911 immediately.
Residents are encouraged to removed
vegetation and down fuels from around their homes to create defensible space
and increase the survivability of their home in case of a wildfire. At this time it is better to consider no-burn
alternatives such as chipping or disposing of material at a landfill. If burning is the only alternative plan to
cover the pile and burn after fall rains have reduced the risk of wildfire and
fire season is terminated.
Landowners
can be held financially responsible for the costs of putting the fire out and
any damage caused by a fire if they are found to be negligent while burning or
burning when burning is not allowed. The
responsible party can also be cited for an uncontrolled fire. Debris burning includes field/pastures and
irrigation ditch burning intended to reduce thatch as well as other
agricultural type burning.
For
additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact
information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.