Multnomah County Fire Departments & Districts Implement Summer Burn Ban as of July 3rd

7/3/2024

Multnomah County, OR. – The Multnomah County Fire Defense Board has announced a burn ban for all areas of Multnomah County. The Multnomah County Fire Defense Board, comprised of local fire chiefs within the district or chief officers with authority to make decisions on behalf of a fire chief, serves a crucial role in supporting the Department of the State Fire Marshal’s “Oregon Fire Service Mobilization Plan” as identified in ORS 476.590. Additionally, these boards facilitate local fire agency business at the county area level, including planning, prevention, and mutual & auto-aid agreements toward fire suppression efforts.

A strategic approach to implementing a burn ban considers the County’s agricultural concerns and aligns with the weather forecast provided by the Pacific Northwest Geographic Area Coordinating Center. This ban includes backyard burning, recreational campfires and fire pits, and agricultural burning (including agricultural wastes, crops, field burning, and permitted open burning for land clearing, slash, stump, debris, or controlled burning). The complete burn ban will remain in effect throughout the summer weather season.

Residents are encouraged to contact their local Fire Department/District for detailed information. 

503-618-3083 for Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview, Fire District 10

503-809-4372 (Option 2) for Corbett Fire District 14

503-621-1242 for Sauvie Island District 30

503-823-3700 for Portland Fire & Rescue – General Information

While outdoor barbecuing using grills, smokers, and similar cooking appliances remains permissible, residents are urged to exercise utmost caution. When using charcoal briquettes, ensure proper disposal of ashes in a covered metal container away from combustibles, and keep the ashes wet for several days before disposal. Maintain a minimum distance of ten feet between outdoor cooking setups and anything combustible, such as siding, fences, or shrubbery.

Smokers are reminded to extinguish cigarettes completely before disposal. Residents in rural settings are asked to maintain defensible space around structures by monitoring vegetation growth around homes and structures and ensuring adequate access to firefighting equipment.

Contact your local fire department for further information.