All open burning is closed in the Canby Fire District and neighboring areas until further notice, as several large brush fires have broken out in the wake of unusually high winds and temperatures this week.
The vegetation fires kept crews from Canby, Molalla, Clackamas, Colton and others busy throughout Tuesday, including one in the 12400 block of South Mulino Road near Lady Lane Farm at 2 p.m. and another in the 24900 block of South Central Point Road near Keystone Quarry just before 4 p.m.
“The cause of both fires was open burning, and high wind speeds contributed to the spread of the fires,” Canby Fire Chief Jim Davis said. “Firefighters had to fight these fires in steep terrain for over four hours.”
At the same time, Aurora Fire, Molalla Fire, Clack Fire, Colton Fire and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue were either assisting — or dealing with large brush events of their own.
“Have you seen the weather for this week?” Molalla Fire asked on Facebook Monday. “It’s going to be gorgeous. But with that comes an increase in the possibility of brush fires. It only takes a few hours of sun to dry out those dead grasses.”
Davis says the burn ban will be in effect for the Canby Fire District through at least April 20, when officials will re-evaluate. A countywide burn ban was implemented Tuesday, joining Washington, Marion, and Yamhill counties.
For the latest information, call the Canby burn line at 503-266-1195 or visit canbyfire.org/burn-information, or contact your local fire district. To report a smoke complaint or illegal burning, call the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality at 888-997-7888.
When agricultural, backyard and recreational open burning resumes, fire officials remind to always have tools and water on-site, and never leave burn piles unattended.