Backyard Burning Ban Starts June 16th in Linn and Benton Counties

Photo Courtesy: Williamson County

(CORVALLIS) - The annual backyard burn ban in Linn and Benton counties goes into effect Friday, June 16th. From that date through Sept. 30th, all open burning of yard waste and other debris is prohibited. Historically, escaped debris burns caused numerous wildfires in the area. Initiation of the ban 14 years ago has significantly reduced these human-caused fires.

While the recent moist weather has delayed the onset of wildfires in the two counties, the Oregon Department of Forestry says the situation can turn around quickly. "We fully anticipate that fire season will come on and forest fuels will cure and dry to the point that fires start occurring," Sweet Home Unit Forester Kevin Crowell said.

A cooperative effort of the Department of Forestry and the Linn and Benton Fire Defense boards, the backyard burning ban coincides with a municipal burning ban instituted annually in most Willamette Valley counties by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to protect air quality.

The DEQ rules already forbid burning of domestic waste within three air miles of cities over 1,000 in population during the June 16th - Sept. 30th period. The Department of Forestry burning ban expands the geographical scope beyond the three-mile limit to include all areas in Linn and Benton counties.

Crowell said that as Oct. 1st approaches, the department will check wildfire indices and consult with the Fire Defense boards on whether fire danger has declined sufficiently to lift the ban as scheduled or extend it later into the fall.

The backyard burning ban minimizes loss of the forest resource as well as reducing the cost of fire suppression.

More information on the June 16th burning ban may be obtained from local fire departments and Department of Forestry offices.