The Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association (COFCA) has announced the date of closing for residential and private lands open debris burning across the tri-county region in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties. Fire Chiefs from the local municipal and rural fire departments, along with State and Federal partners have determined due to existing environmental conditions this year that outdoor burning of debris and agricultural burns on private lands will close as of sunset on May 31, 2017.
Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Chief Roger Johnson strongly urges homeowners to prepare their property for the upcoming fire season now before there is smoke on the horizon. Fortunately, there are alternatives to burning yard debris. The spring FireFree events in Deschutes and Jefferson counties provides this opportunity for local residents to dispose of their debris inexpensively and legally. The FireFree days will begin on June 2 and 3, 2017 for Sisters area residents and will be available for selected dates during the month in numerous locations to all Central Oregon residents.
Central Oregon Fire Chief’s federal partners (US Forest Service & Bureau of Land Management) will still be performing prescribed burns throughout the region in preparation of fire season even after burn season closes on private lands. These prescribed burns will be conducted under carefully planned conditions such as: with federal fire resources, professional fire managers and firefighters on scene, favorable weather conditions and carefully planned land plots. These prescribed burns improve forest health and reduce the forest fuels in order to lower the wildfire risk to our communities that is ever present later in the season when the conditions are even more extreme.
Residents are strongly encouraged to contact their local fire protection agencies for additional burning information and regulations. All Central Oregon fire departments and rural fire districts will continue to monitor weather and fuel moisture conditions in their district and may make modifications on a day-to-day basis. Please call your local outdoor burning information line for your current conditions. If conditions become dryer, individual agencies may choose to close local burning sooner.
For More Information Contact:
Black Butte Ranch Fire District
541-595-2288 office
www.blackbutteranchfire.com
Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District
541-389-2345 office
541-548-4815 burn information
www.cloverdalefire.com
Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District
541-549-0771 office
541-549-2333 burn information
www.www.sistersfire.com
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