Debris burning is open in the rural areas surrounding Bend as of October 3, 2023. 

• Debris burning is not allowed any time in the city of Bend.
• Campfires, warming fires and cooking fires are typically allowed year-round but we ask that you call before you burn every time to be sure.
• Regulations can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, be sure to check with your local fire agency to ensure the regulations for your area.
• Burning may be shut down from day to day based on weather factors (high winds, air stagnation, etc.), be sure to call the burn information line at 541-322-6335 every time you burn to ensure its open that day. 

Download the Burn Regulations

Burning Regulations Flyer- English

Burning Regulations Flyer - Spanish

Burn permits are required for a number of burning practices to ensure they are being done safely and properly to lessen the risk of the fire escaping. Permits are $20 each (plus any associated credit card fees) and are generally good for 12 months. Permit fees can be paid when you apply for your permit via card. Alternative payment options are available when you apply. 

NEW BURN PERMIT SYSTEM AS OF 12/14/2020: All burn permits will start by applying for a permit on the City's new Online Permit Center Portal. This applies for all burn permits in our fire district including those that live outside the City of Bend. Request your permit by clicking on Apply under Fire Request at the Online Permit Center Portal.

Here are some helpful points on finding your way through the system:

• Create an account in the Portal (you will receive an email from the system to finalize your registration, be sure to check your junk mail folder) 
• To apply for a burn permit look for the FIRE REQUEST section and press Apply.
• When asked about what "quantity" of permits you want, just enter 1 into the field.
• Once you apply someone will contact you to schedule a site visit to confirm your permit. 
• Click here for how to videos on registering for an account and applying for a permit. 

Permits ARE NOT required for the following: Only a copy of the burn regulations are required for these types of fires:

• Yard debris burning (rural residents only) - If your pile of yard debris material is less than 6 feet in diameter and 4 feet in height and is at least 50 feet from structures - NO BURN PERMIT IS NEEDED
• Burn barrels (rural residents only) - If your burn barrel is at least 15 feet from structures - NO BURN PERMIT IS NEEDED
• Campfires, commercially manufactured fire appliances, warming fires and cooking fires that fall in the size and separation limits listed in the burn regulations - NO BURN PERMIT IS NEEDED

Permits ARE required for the following:

• Agricultural burning including ditches, fence lines and fields. (rural residents only)
• Large piles of debris (larger than permitted in the burn regulations) (rural residents only)
• Commercial burning of any type (rural residents only)
• Special type fires such as bon fires or in ground pits

 Call 541-322-6386 for any questions related to burn permits or whether one is required or not. 

Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Burn Permits:

There are areas within the jurisdiction of Bend Fire & Rescue that are also protected by ODF. In these areas there may be other rules and regulations pertaining to burning that you may need to comply with. This includes landowners under the Oregon Forest Practices Act. Please contact ODF at their Sisters office at 541-549-2731 or visit the ODF website for more information regarding their burn permit process or to complete their online burn permit request form.

No open debris burning is permitted within the city limits of Bend as per city ordinance 5.30.005. Debris burning includes burn piles, burn barrels, weed burners and similar type fires. Yard debris includes, but not limited to, pine needles, pine cones, branches, trees, shrubs, limbs, stumps, grass, clippings, etc.

Recreational fires for the purpose of warming, cooking or pleasure are still permitted as long as they meet the guidelines in the outdoor burning regulations for recreational fires. Burn regulations can be found under the Burn Regulations tab on this page. For help with ensuring your back yard campfire is safe we offer free home safety consultations. Call our office at 541-322-6386 or request a home consult by clicking on Apply under Fire Request on the City's Online Permit Center Portal. 

Recreational fires and debris burning are permitted seasonally outside the city limits of Bend, within the DCRFPD #2 borders. Regulations are available at any fire station or download from the Burn Regulations tab on this webpage. Debris burning is generally open from November to May depending upon fire season. Debris burning includes burn piles, burn barrels, weed burners, ditch burning, field burning and similar type fires. Recreational fires include fires for the purpose of warming, cooking or pleasure and may be permitted after debris burning closes as long as they meet the guidelines in the outdoor burning regulation. Be sure to call the burn information line, 541-322-6335, each day to ensure compliance with current restrictions.

IF YOUR FIRE HAS ESCAPED, PLEASE CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.

Debris burning: (county residents only)

For any fire that has material 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, the fire shall be at least 25 feet from structures and fences greater than 6 feet tall. For any fire that has materials 6 feet in diameter and 4 feet in height, the fire shall be at least 50 feet from structures and fences greater than 6 feet tall. For a fire of greater size than 6 feet, a burn permit shall be obtained prior to ignition. All fires shall have 10 feet minimum clear space (down to ground dirt) around the pile or fire ring. Open debris burning (yard debris) is limited to when burning is open, outside of the summer season. Outdoor debris burning is typically open from October to May each fall/winter/spring. Specific dates each year vary depending on the weather and other factors. Open debris burning is meant as a way to dispose of yard and clean woody debris from your property. Trash, garbage and other waste is not permitted to be burned at any time. 

Campfires and warming fires:

Camp and warming fires are typically allowed year round except for some extreme weather condition closures in the summer months. Call before you burn each time to ensure campfires are allowed at 541-322-6335. Camp and warming fires are limited to material being 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height with a 25 foot set back to structures and fences greater than 6 feet tall. If your fire is in a commercially manufacture fire pit, then the set back can be reduced to the distance the manufacture suggests. Camp and warming fires are fires that only burn clean, dry firewood and burn clean with little smoke. All fires shall be fully extinguished and cold to the touch prior to leaving the area. Camp and warming fires are allowed after dark as long as they are continually attended. 

Burn barrels: (county residents only):

Burn barrels can be used for debris burning outside the city limits of Bend but must follow the same regulations as open debris burning. Burn barrels shall be at least 15 feet from structures and fences greater than 6 feet tall. Regulations are available for download [PDF] or at any fire station. Barrels need to be kept away from combustible construction and shall have a metal mesh lid on them to prevent embers from escaping. All fires shall have 10 feet minimum clear space (down to ground dirt) around the pile or fire ring.

Burn Permits:

Some types of fires require permits. Any fire larger than 6 feet in diameter, all field burning and fires that aren't specifically identified in the burn regulations require a burn permit prior to ignition. If you're not sure if a permit is required or not, call our office at 541-322-6386 for assistance in determining if one is needed. See the Burn Permit tab on this page for more information on obtaining a permit. 

Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Protection areas:

There are areas within the jurisdiction of Bend Fire & Rescue that are also protected by ODF. In these areas there may be other rules and regulations pertaining to burning that you may need to comply with. This includes landowners under the Oregon Forest Practices Act. Please contact ODF at their Sisters office at 541-549-2731 or visit their website for more information on burning.

Any burning that is considered a commercial operation shall obtain a burning permit from Bend Fire & Rescue. This is any burning on commercial property including businesses, industrial lands, job sites, etc. Prior to the burn permit being issued, permission from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) shall be obtained for the burning. DEQ permission is required for any commercial burning within 3 miles of the city limits of Bend or any location where commercial debris is brought to a property to burn. Contact the DEQ offices in Bend at 541-388-6146 to obtain the needed permission or for more information on allowable commercial burning. Please visit DEQ website for more information regarding burning. 

Once you have received the DEQ open burning permit, then you can apply for the burn permit through the fire department. See the Burn Permit tab on this page for directions on applying. 

NEW BURN PERMIT SYSTEM AS OF 12/14/2020: All burn permits will start by applying for a permit on the City's new Online Permit Center Portal. This applies for all burn permits in our fire district including those that live outside the City of Bend. See the Burn Permit tab on this page for directions on applying. 

Burning regulations are available at any fire station or download the Burn Regulations tab above.

If you have questions on whether a commercial permit is needed please call our office at 541-322-6386.

Determine Which Response Area you Live in

To determine what departments area you are in, go to Deschutes County Dial. Enter your address and then select the interactive map and add Tax Districts - Fire as a layer to determine the department. Did you know that Bend 97707 addresses aren't actually part of Bend Fire Departments response area? They are within the coverage area of LaPine Fire District. Click here for their website and information on burning and much more. 

Bend Fire & Rescue will respond to reports of illegal or unsafe burning when requested. We ask that before you call 911 or non-emergency dispatch that you attempt to make contact first to see if correction can be made without our intervention. This will help leave fire engines available for emergency fire and medical calls.  If contact is not possible or you are unable to achieve compliance please call non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911 or 911 for emergencies.

IF YOUR FIRE HAS ESCAPED, PLEASE CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.

NEW COMPLAINT FILING SYSTEM AS OF 12/14/2020: All complaints can be done by submitting the online form on the City's new Online Permit Center Portal. This applies to all complaints in our fire district including for those who live outside the City of Bend. Submit a New Complaint under the Code Enforcement section at  the City's Online Permit Center Portal. 

For air quality complaints, please contact Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) at 541-388-6146.

DEQ regulates the air quality in Oregon. According to DEQ rules, the fire cannot create a nuisance or a hazard to public safety. You are responsible for any fire, smoke or odors created from open burning and for any damage that results from your fire. 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 (air stagnation days, high winds, etc). Click here for the DEQ Outdoor Burning Guide

• Fuels do not ignite readily from small firebrands, although a more intense heat source such as lightning may start many fires in duff or punky wood.
• Fires in open cured grassland may burn freely a few hours after rain, but woods fire spread slowly by creeping/smoldering, and burn irregularly.
• There is little danger of spotting.

• Fires can start from most accidental causes, but with the exception of lightning fires in some areas, the number of starts is generally low.
• Fires in open-cured grassland will burn briskly and spread rapidly on windy days. Wood fires spread slowly to moderately fast.
• The average fire is of moderate intensity, although heavy concentrations of fuel, especially draped fuel, may burn hot. Short-distance spotting may occur, but is not persistent.
• Fires are not likely to become serious, and control is relatively easy.

• All fine dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from any cause.
• Unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape.
• Fires spread rapidly and short-distance spotting is common.
• High intensity burning may develop on slopes, or in concentrations of fine fuel.
• Fire may become serious and their control difficult unless they are hit hard and fast while small.

• Fires under extreme conditions start quickly, spread furiously and burn intensely.
•  All fires are potentially serious.
• Development into high intensity burning will usually be faster and occur from smaller fires than in the high danger class.
• Direct attack is rarely possible and may be dangerous, except immediately after ignition.

Extreme Fire Danger Season Warning

During fire season when Bend Fire & Rescue is at extreme fire danger level, all burning violations can result in a citation for violation of either the City of Bend or DCRFPD#2's burning ordinances. Also during these extreme fire danger times, ALL types of fires can be banned by the Fire Chief or Fire Marshal, including campfires, warming fires and cooing fires. Call burn line at 541-322-6335 to confirm burning is allowed each time.