VIDEO: The Oregon Department of Forestry is urging residents to use the Before You Burn website or mobile app to check local regulations before lighting debris fires, aiming to prevent avoidable wildfires and costly suppression efforts.
The agency said outdoor debris burning remains the leading cause of human-caused wildfires in Oregon, sparking about 225 fires each year. Over the course of two days last month, three burns in Deschutes County lost containment before firefighters were able to stop them from advancing.
Outdoor debris burning, also known as backyard debris burning, is the leading cause of human-caused wildland fires in Oregon. On average, the Oregon Department of Forestry responds to about 225 fires each year that result from escaped debris burns.
All Oregonians are encouraged to use the new statewide Before You Burn website or mobile application prior to lighting any debris, whether it be a small pile or in a burn barrel.
