Keep Debris Burning Safe and Legal

NEWS RELEASE
A Public Service Announcement

3/19/12 For Immediate Release
For More Information: Dan Derlacki, Deputy Fire Marshal
City of Bend Fire Department
Phone: (541) 322-6309

Keep Debris Burning Safe and Legal

Debris burning is Central Oregon’s leading cause of human caused wildfires, and every spring firefighters respond to a series of escaped debris burns across Central Oregon. In 2011 Bend Fire Department responded to 27 escaped debris burns that caused $106,000 in damage. Most of these escapes could’ve been avoided with some simple safety steps below.

NOTE: Open debris burning is banned within the city limits of Bend. Currently areas outside of the city, within Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District #2, can burn until the burning season is closed, usually in May.

If you burn your yard debris here are some steps to lower your risk of an escaped fire:

• A current copy of the Bend Fire Department burn regulations must be on site – you can pick one up at any fire station or download one online – www.bendoregon.gov
• Prior to lighting your fire, contact the Bend Fire Department burn information line at
  541-322-6335 to ensure burning is open that day (check with your local fire department if you are not covered by Bend Fire Department or Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District #2) 
• Ensure your fire is of legal size: no more than 6 feet across and 4 feet tall
• Ensure you have plenty of clearance around the fire area: 50 feet clearance to structures including homes, sheds, barns and fences
• For burn barrels, 25 foot clearance is needed to structures and a heavy duty screen needs to be placed on top while burning
• Ensure you there is no combustibles for 10 feet surrounding your fire area to prevent the fire from spreading on the ground
• Only burn during daylight hours, fully extinguish your fire at night
• All fires need to be attended at all times
• Do not burn on windy days, if the wind picks up during the day, stop burning and fully extinguish your fire to ensure it does not spread out of your control
• Have appropriate fire extinguishing tools on hand in case the fire does get away such as a shovel and a hose
• When done burning ensure the fire area is cold to the touch, to ensure the fire is completely out
• Do not burn prohibited materials: plastics, garbage, stumps, wire insulation, auto bodies, mobile homes, rubber, all petroleum based products, or any animal, food service, industrial, commercial and construction waste. 
• Commercial and agricultural burning requires a fire department permit. To have a permit issued call 541-322-6309 during normal business hours for an appointment to conduct a site inspection.

For more information and quick videos on what you can do to prevent a wild fire, go to www.keeporegongreen.org

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