Clackamas County fire districts have announced a strict burn ban due to extreme conditions brought on by soaring temperatures and low humidity.
Both the Canby and Clackamas fire districts are at the extreme risk level for wildfires until further notice.
“This is critical fire weather,” Clackamas Fire officials said Wednesday, noting that their district’s burn ban will be in effect through July 1.
“Clackamas Fire encourages the public to exercise extreme caution when outdoors to help prevent the sparks that cause wildfires. Big or small, the prevention of wildfires is everyone’s responsibility.”
The ban prohibits backyard or open burning (including yard debris and branches), agricultural burning and any other land clearing, slash, stump, waste, debris, or controlled burning.
The burn ban does not prohibit small outdoor cooking, warming or recreational fires, including portable or permanent fire pits and campfires.
Recreational fires should be a maximum of three feet in diameter and two feet in height and fueled only by dry, cut firewood.
Barbeque grills and smokers with briquettes, wood chips, pellets or propane are also permitted by the ban.
There may be more restrictive open burning rules within an Oregon Department of Forestry boundary. ODF restrictions may include prohibitions on campfires, smoking, target shooting, powered equipment, motorized vehicles, and other public or private landowner and industrial fire restrictions.
Outdoor fires in violation of the ban may be immediately extinguished by firefighters, and those responsible may be liable for the costs incurred, per state law.
For updated information, call the Canby Fire District’s daily burn line at 503-266-1195.
