Union County regulated use fire season is now in effect
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION COUNTY – Union County’s regulated use fire season officially began yesterday, July 1st, and will remain in effect through September 30 unless otherwise extended or modified. Please see the full release below from Union County Emergency Services on current restrictions:
(Release from Union County Emergency Services)
During this period, open burning is prohibited except for regulated agricultural field burning and authorized prescribed fires.
A complete list of regulations is available in the Union County Burn Ordinance 2024-02. Key highlights include:
Burn Barrel Use (6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. only)
- Barrels must be in cleared areas, with a 10-foot radius free of flammable material and located at least 25 feet from any structure.
- Must have a heavy metal screen and be attended at all times with water and a shovel.
- Burning is prohibited on windy days.
- ODF burn permit requirements apply in ODF-protected areas.
Recreational Fires & Fire Appliances
- Allowed in fire rings under 6 feet in diameter, with 6-inch-high non-combustible walls.
- Clear combustible material removed a minimum of three feet beyond the ring, and dry grasses a minimum of 10 feet around the ring.
- Only natural materials such as untreated wood, paper, and vegetation may be burned.
- Fires must be attended and fully extinguished.
- ODF permit requirements apply in applicable areas.
Additional Restrictions
Should extreme fire danger arise, the Union County Board of Commissioners may enact a complete ban on outdoor fires outside incorporated cities upon recommendation from the Fire Defense Board. These regulations do not apply to gas barbecues or authorized agricultural burns.
Effective July 2, 2025, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will implement High Fire Danger Restrictions, due to dry weather and rising fire danger. These restrictions apply to all ODF-protected lands in Union, Baker, Wallowa, Umatilla, and parts of Malheur, Morrow, and Grant counties.
Up-to-date fire information can be found at www.bmidc.org. To report a fire: Call (541) 963-7171 or dial 9-1-1.
