PORTLAND, Ore. — The city of Portland instituted a burn ban Tuesday, which takes effect immediately. Portland Fire and Rescue issued the ban due to forecasted high temperatures, limited rainfall and ongoing dry conditions.
Multiple Portland-area counties have also enacted burn bans, including Multnomah County, Clackamas County and Washington County.
Portland will be under an Excessive Heat Warning starting this Thursday through Sunday, as temperatures are expected to surpass 100 degrees on multiple days.
Portland Fire said the ban includes recreational campfires, fire pits, yard debris, agricultural burning and permits issued for open burning until further notice. The ban will stay in effect through the summer weather season.
All burning related to outdoor barbecuing is still permitted, including but not limited to grills, smokers, and similar cooking appliances with clean, dry firewood, briquettes, wood chips, pellets, propane, natural gas, or similar fuels. Portland Fire asks that residents practice extreme caution when barbecuing outdoors.
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PF&R said when using charcoal briquettes to take extra caution in safely disposing of the ashes in a covered metal container away from combustibles, while also keeping the ashes wet for a few days before properly disposing of them.
Maintain at least 10 feet of distance between outdoor cooking and anything flammable, including but not limited to siding, fences or shrubbery. Also, ensure that cigarettes and cigars are properly put out before throwing them away.
Those residing in rural areas are asked to maintain their defensive space and watch growth surrounding homes and buildings, and to be aware and have access to firefighting equipment.
Multnomah County burn ban
Multnomah County announced a burn on Tuesday night for all areas of the county that will remain in effect "throughout the summer weather season." The county said the ban includes "backyard burning, recreational campfires and fire pits, and agricultural burning (including agricultural wastes, crops, field burning, and permitted open burning for land clearing, slash, stump, debris, or controlled burning)." Residents can participate in outdoor barbecuing using grills, smokers and similar cooking appliances, but are advised to use caution, including "maintaining a minimum distance of 10 feet between outdoor cooking setups and anything combustible, such as siding, fences or shrubbery." For more information, contact your local fire department or district:
- 503-618-3083 for Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview, Fire District 10
- 503-809-4372 (Option 2) for Corbett Fire District 14
- 503-621-1242 for Sauvie Island District 30
- 503-823-3700 for Portland Fire & Rescue - General Information
Clackamas County burn ban
Clackamas County also issued a burn ban due to the fire danger level moving to MODERATE. The ban starts July 3 at 12:01 a.m., although backyard, agriculture, slash burning, BBQs, fire pits, and recreational fires are allowed — they're strongly discouraged.
Washington County burn ban
Washington County also issued a burn ban due to the high fire danger. The ban started Monday morning and includes backyard or open burning such as with yard debris, agricultural burning or any other land clearing or controlled burning.
Vancouver burn ban
Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli issued a burn ban on recreational fires starting Tuesday. It includes bans on recreational fires and bonfires, campfires and fires in outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and chimney-type devices.
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