Effective Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 01:00 a.m. and until further notice, all open burning is prohibited within the service area of Douglas County Fire District No.2 , including the communities of Dixonville, Green, Melrose, Winchester, Wilbur, Garden Valley, Umpqua and Calapooia; the City of Sutherlin; and unincorporated areas of the City of Roseburg. The ban aims to reduce the incidence of hostile fires resulting from open burns escaping control. The restrictions will extend until cooler temperatures and/or a season-ending “Fall” rain event occurs earlier in October that minimizes fire danger.
The burn ban includes the following:
- Back yard burning (including burn barrels).
- Land clearing or slash burning (not associated with Douglas Forest Protective Association or Department of Environmental Quality permitted burns).
- Agricultural burning (not associated with Douglas Forest Protective Association or Oregon Department of Agriculture permitted burns).
The burn ban does not include the following:
- Barbecues or outdoor fire places (i.e., chimneys, burning urns, decorating fire pits, etc.). No permit is required to burn in these appliances.
- Recreational burning (i.e., cooking fires, back yard pits) on designated sites or with a permit issued by Douglas County Fire District No.2.
- Ceremonial burning (i.e., small fires used for religious or ceremonial purposes) with a permit issued by Douglas County Fire District No.2.
Individuals found to be burning in violation of the burn ban restrictions may be issued a citation and/or found liable for any property loss. Additionally, during the burn ban all unlawful outdoor fires are deemed a hazard to public safety and will result in a Douglas County Fire District No.2 response, extinguishment, and invoicing of cost recovery fees for actions taken.