Spring Burning Calls for Caution

Wildfire in Salem, summer of 2005 Photo Courtesy: Bill Holmstrom/Salem Fire

(SALEM) - Spring burning of yard debris can prevent a wildfire later on when the weather turns hot and dry. But, as Oregon Department of Forestry's Greg Wagenblast can testify, timing is crucial.

"Yesterday, we ran on a two-acre escaped debris burn east of Cottage Grove," the protection unit forester said. "This afternoon, we're working another fire east of Springfield."

In both situations, well-meaning property owners were trying to clean up yard waste by burning it in piles, when the fires escaped control. Their mistakes were twofold: poor timing and poor location.

"When the wind is blowing as it has the past two days, it's best to wait for lighter winds or calm conditions before burning," Wagenblast said.

Gusty winds lobbed embers from today's debris burn in the Mohawk Valley near Springfield 100 feet into a nearby grassy field. Dead grass left over from last fall quickly ignited.

Along with wind, burn pile location figures as a second key consideration whenever burning yard debris. In the case of the Mohawk Valley fire, the pile was placed too close to dry fuels.

The Cottage Grove fire also resulted from a debris burn spreading into adjacent vegetation.

"The debris pile was burned right against brush and blackberries," he said. "It took only about 30 seconds for it to go from a small spot fire to an active flaming front with flame lengths 10 to 15 feet tall."

The forester advised homeowners doing spring cleanup to locate a burn pile in a clear, open area and then scrape a trail completely around the pile down to mineral soil. In addition, a person must attend the fire at all times and have a charged garden hose and a hand tool such as a shovel available.

Before setting any open fire, Lane County residents should call the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency's Residential Backyard Burning Line, 541-726-3976, to determine if it is an allowed "burn day." They should also call the local fire department to check for any additional burning restrictions.

South Lane County Fire and Rescue assisted the Department of Forestry on the Cottage Grove fire, and Mohawk Valley Fire District assisted on the fire near Springfield.