Generally open burning is permitted from the end of Fire Season (as determined by Oregon Dept. of Forestry) and November 1, and again from March 1 until the beginning of Fire Season (again, per Oregon Dept. of Forestry). However, due to air quality issues, burning is often curtailed on a day-to-day basis.
The first step toward safe and legal open burning for District residents' is a visit to the Fire Station at 8677 E. Evans Creek Road. There, you will pick up a free burn permit and regulations regarding open burning. Also, someone will be available to answer your questions about burning. Then, on any day you want to burn, FIRST call 582-BURN (582-2876) for an automated update on whether burning is allowed on that day. Below is a condensed version of the Department of Environmental Quality's Do's and Don'ts for open burning.

A Source Of Air Pollution

     In many parts of urban and rural Oregon, burning waste continues to be the disposal method of choice for a significant part of the population. Besides the smoke that can be seen by an outdoor burn, the activity also emits a number of air pollutants that can adversely affect public health.

Before You Burn

     It may be illegal to burn certain types of waste in the area where you live, or you may need a permit to burn your waste.

     This guide outlines the state Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) burning regulations for debris from land clearing, agricultural, commercial, construction and demolition, and domestic (residential household) activities. Since some Oregon cities and counties have local burning ordinances, there may be additional restrictions in your area.

Open Burning Guidelines

     "OPEN BURNING" includes any burning outdoors. A fire in a "burn barrel" is open burning. Other examples include burning piles of yard debris, burning stumps to clear land and burning construction debris or the remains of demolished structures.      It's against the law to conduct any open burning that:
     • Unreasonably interferes with enjoyment of life or property,
     • Creates a public or private nuisance,
     • Is a hazard to public safety

Materials That Can Not Be Burned

     DEQ regulations prohibit open burning of the following materials at any time, anywhere in Oregon:
     • Rubber products
     • Tires (includes burning tires to start an approved agricultural waste fire)
     • Plastic
     • Wet garbage
     • Petroleum and petroleum-treated materials
     • Asphalt or industrial waste
     • Any material that creates dense smoke or noxious odors

State Open Burning Regulations

     DEQ regulations prohibit certain types of burning in selected areas of the state. Any material moved off the property of origin anywhere in the state cannot be burned without a permit. Contact your local DEQ office to confirm whether your area has any specific restrictions.
     State regulations also give DEQ the authority to prohibit open burning anywhere in the state on a day-to-day basis depending upon air quality and weather conditions. State air quality rules that govern open burning are found in Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 340, Division 264. Open burning violations can result in penalties of up to $10,000 per day of violation.
     The State Fire Marshal can also make a separate determination to prohibit open burning.

Caution:

Always check with your local fire department before you burn.
Evans Valley Fire issues free burn permits to residents in the District. Each day, call 582-BURN (582-2876) for the latest burn information. The DEQ does not issue fire permits. Don't risk a fine!

Alternatives to Open Burning

     • Compost or chip plant materials on-site
     • Organize Community Cleanup Days
     • Curb-side pick up
     • Take materials to local recycling center or landfill
     • Reclaim used lumber
     • Utilize construction site recycling programs
     • Use debris as fuel for a municipal steam generator

Specific Regulations

     Open burning is prohibited in the Ashland, Medford, and Grants Pass areas from November through February.

Slash Burning

     Slash burning (burning debris from logging) is limited to burning on forestlands for forest management, and is usually managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry. It is not the clearing of forestland for any other purpose.

Agricultural Burning

     Open burning for agricultural purposes is usually allowed anywhere in the state, unless fire safety concerns restrict or prohibit burning on a given day. Agricultural burning is limited to bona fide agricultural waste. Agricultural waste is material generated by an agricultural operation that uses, or intends to use, land primarily for the purpose of obtaining a profit in money by raising, harvesting and selling crops or raising and selling animals (including poultry), or the products of animal husbandry. Prohibited materials can't be burned, even in an agricultural setting.
     Agricultural burning must be an integral and necessary part of the agricultural activity. The agricultural activity might include clearing of land, but does not include the construction and use of dwellings. Burning associated with a dwelling is considered to be domestic burning, backyard burning, or burning of yard debris, and is not part of the farming operation.
     Agricultural open field burning, the burning of residue left from the harvest of a grass seed crop, is regulated in the Willamette Valley under a separate program operated by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Questions about field burning should be directed to the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
     DEQ approval is not required for agricultural permits. Contact your local fire department to inquire if an agricultural burn permit is otherwise needed.

Contact Information

     Individual fire districts may issue fire permits and may prohibit open burning based on local fire safety or air quality concerns. Always contact your local fire department to find out if burning is authorized on a particular day.
     For more information, contact your local fire department or nearest DEQ office:
     Evans Valley Fire Department ... 582-0678
     24 Hour Burn Information ... 776-7007

     DEQ offices:
     Medford office (541) 776-6010 x237
     Main office in Portland (503) 229-5359
     TTY (503) 229-6993
     Toll-Free (800) 452-4011