Burns Fire Department issues burn barrel & open burning info
By Logan Bagett on Friday, October 17th, 2025 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
BURNS – The Burns Fire Department recently shared information regarding open burning. Find the agency’s full press release below:
(Release from the Burns Fire Department)
What is Open Burning?
Open burning includes any outdoor fire without proper containment, like burning leaves, or yard waste.
Open burning definition, fires that occur in the open air with no significant barriers—such as lids, chimneys, or permanent structures—fall under this category.
For City of Burns citizens seeking to burn hand-piled, natural vegetation collected onsite (e.g., yard debris and leaf piles) after the open burning ban concludes, the City of Burns requires a permit for this activity. The following safety precautions are required:
1. Burn location must be no less than 25 feet from any field that contains brush, grass, or other flammable material.
2. Burn location must be no less than 50 feet from structures, which includes homes, outbuildings, sheds, and barns.
3. Burning must take place between 8:00 am 4:00 PM.
4. Person responsible must attend burning at all times until the fire is completely extinguished and there is no risk of burning to escape control.
5. Person responsible must take reasonable and necessary precautions to prevent fire escape or spread from the original location.
6. Fire area shall not exceed 6ft, by 6ft without being inspected by the fire department.
7. Check your weather, don’t burn on windy days, or when there is an inversion.
Health Impacts of Burning
1. Open burning creates air pollution in the form of smoke. Vapors and small airborne particles can be inhaled, making breathing difficult and leading to more serious short-term and chronic health problems. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. The quantity and duration of smoke exposure, as well as a person’s age and degree of susceptibility, play a role in determining whether or not someone will experience smoke-related health problems.
Burn barrels:
Burn barrels can be used for debris burning in the city limits of Burns but must follow the same regulations as open debris burning. Barrels need to be kept away from combustible construction and shall have a metal mesh lid on them to prevent embers from escaping.
PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS BEFORE BURNING
Failure to comply with or violation of burning regulations may result in a fine and/or suspension of burn permit.
