Jefferson County residents will be able to light their brush piles again starting Wednesday, October 1, as fire danger across Central Oregon has dropped enough to reopen residential burning for the season.
The Jefferson County Fire & EMS Department announced the reopening of open residential burning, signaling a turning point after a dry summer that kept burn restrictions in place throughout the county.
Permits Required — and Free
Residents must obtain a burn permit before lighting any outdoor fire. The good news: the permits are free. Pick one up in person at the Jefferson County Fire & EMS station at 765 S. Fifth St. in Madras, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Before burning on any given day, residents should call the burn line at 541-475-1789 to confirm it is an approved burn day. Even with the season officially open, temporary closures can still occur due to poor air quality, high winds, Red Flag Warnings, or other fire-weather conditions.
Safety Guidelines
Jefferson County Fire & EMS is asking residents to follow these safety rules:
- Never leave a fire unattended
- Keep water sources close by and ready to use
- Extinguish all fires by sunset
- Do not burn prohibited materials, including garbage, plastic, diapers, dead animals, auto bodies, rubber, or commercial/industrial waste
FireFree Events Coming in October
For residents who prefer not to burn their yard debris themselves, Jefferson County Fire & EMS will host two FireFree events in October. These events allow residents to drop off yard debris and other eligible materials at the Box Canyon Transfer Station, where fire department staff will handle disposal.
For more information about FireFree dates and eligible materials, call 541-475-7274.
The reopening of residential burning comes as fall yard cleanup season gets underway across Jefferson County. Residents with questions about what can and cannot be burned are encouraged to contact Jefferson County Fire & EMS directly before heading out with a match.