BURN BAN STILL IN EFFECT

Fire season remains in effect for all areas of Douglas County Fire District No.2.  This includes Dixonville, Green, Melrose, Winchester, Wilbur, Garden Valley, Umpqua, and the Calapooia area.

The hot dry summer and lack of noticeable rainfall has left the vegetation in our area still very dry.  The moisture level is extremely low and the continued elevated temperatures during the day create prime conditions for fires to start and spread.

The burn ban includes all backyard burning, campfires, fire pits, debris piles and burn barrels.  “In the past we have tried to open backyard burning by October, but due to the severity of the summer months the conditions are still too dangerous for us to allow open burning of any kind.”

The use of a chainsaw is allowed before 1:00 p.m. or after 8:00 p.m. and the mowing of dry grass is allowed before noon or after 6:00 p.m.

A permit from Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is required for Industrial, Commercial, Construction Waste, Demolition Waste, and Slash Burning.

Douglas County has numerous alternative methods available to residents.  For a list of these alternatives please refer to: Recycle Power.org or call (541)440-4268

DCFD2 Firefighters Battle House Fire in Dixonville

Douglas County Fire District No.2 firefighters battled a stubborn house fire at 757 Buckhorn Road in Dixonville that was reported at 7:31 p.m. last night. Responding fire crews reported large flames and heavy smoke visible from the North Umpqua Highway as they approached. Once on the scene, Firefighters encountered thick, black smoke and fire engulfing the back of the house, deck and two large fir trees.

The windows of the home were open which allowed the fire to spread to the interior of the residence. The occupants exited the house safely before the arrival of the first fire crews. The fire was declared under control approximately 30 minutes later, and fire crews remained on scene for several hours mopping up hot spots.

The home owners were inside the home watching television when they smelled smoke. They went outside to investigate and found the back of the home and deck engulfed in flames.

No one was injured during the fire, but the structure is a total loss.

Fire investigators determined that a refrigerator on the back deck was the cause of this fire.DCFD2 responded to this incident with 3 fire engines, 2 water tenders, 1 command unit, 1 ambulance and 10 firefighters. They were assisted by Glide Fire Department with 1 water tender and 2 firefighters, PP& L, Avista Utilities.

Douglas County Fire District No.2 Bans Open Burning

Effective Monday June 01 until further notice, all open burning in prohibited within the fire service area of Douglas County Fire District No.2 (DCFD2) including the communities of Dixonville, Green, Melrose, Winchester, Wilbur, Garden Valley, Umpqua, Calapooia and the City of Sutherlin. The ban aims to reduce the risks of hostile fires resulting from open burns escaping control. The restrictions will extend until cooler temperatures and/or rain occurs, sometime in October, which minimizes fire danger.
The burn ban includes the following:
• Domestic Open Burning (Back Yard Burning) including incinerators (burn barrels)
• Land clearing or slash burning (not associated with Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) or Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permitted burns)
• Agricultural burning (not associated with DFPA or Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) permitted burns)

The burn ban does not include the following:
• The non-commercial cooking of food (back yard barbecue)
• Outdoor fire place burning (chimneys (chimeneas), burning urns, decorating fire pits, etc.) No permit is required to burn in these appliances.
• Recreational burning (cooking fires, back yard pits) on designated sites or that have been issued a special burn permit by DCFD2
• Ceremonial burning (Small fires used for religious or ceremonial purposes). A special burn permit is required from DCFD2

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 DCFD2 response, extinguishment, and invoicing of cost recovery fees for DCFD2 actions taken.

DCFD #2 NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING

A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Douglas County Fire District No.2, Douglas County, State of Oregon, to discuss the budget for fiscal year July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, will be held at 1290 NE Cedar Street, Roseburg Oregon. The meeting will take place on the 4th day of June at 6:00 PM. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the budget message and to receive comment from the public on the budget. A copy of the budget document may be inspected or obtained on or after May 18, 2014 at Douglas County Fire District No. 2 Headquarters at 1290 NE Cedar St., Roseburg between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm.

This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs with the Budget Committee. Notice of our Budget Committee Meeting dates can also be found on our District website at www.dcfd.org