November 2, 2022 10:50 a.m. 

With fire season over, staff with the Oregon Department of Forestry and other fire prevention experts are urging the public to exercise caution when disposing of yard debris this fall.

An ODF release said many Oregonians have debris piles ready to be disposed of that cured over the summer. Preferable options for removal, aside from burning, include composting or recycling.

For those who choose to burn, fire prevention specialists ask residents to follow safe burning practices. These tips can help stop run-away burn piles:

*Check with the local fire district to learn about burn restrictions and if a permit is needed

*Know the weather – burn early in the day and never burn on dry or windy days

*Clear a 10-foot fuel-free buffer around the burn pile

*Keep burn piles small

*Always have water and fire tools nearby

*Stay with the fire until it is out cold

*Re-check burn piles as they can retain heat for several weeks and restart when the weather warms up and winds blow

*Never use gasoline or other flammable or combustible liquids to start or speed up a fire

*Burn only yard debris, as state laws prohibit burning materials or trash that create dense smoke or noxious oders

*Remember that if a debris burns spreads out of control, the homeowner may have to pay for suppression costs, which can be extremely expensive

More fire prevention information is at: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/pages/index.aspx