Union County early entry into Regulated Use Fire Season begins now
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, June 4th, 2026 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
UNION COUNTY – (Press release from Union County Emergency Services) At the June 3, 2026 Commission meeting, the Union County Board of Commissioners approved a request from the Union County Fire Defense Board to enter into regulated use fire season effective immediately. The regulated use fire season will remain in effect through September 30, 2026, unless extended or modified.
During regulated use fire season, open burning is prohibited except for regulated agricultural field burning and authorized prescribed fires.
Residents are encouraged to review the requirements of Union County Burn Ordinance 2024-02 and exercise caution with any activity that could spark a fire.
Key regulations in Ordinance 2024-02 include:
- Burn barrel use is allowed only between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
- Burn barrels must be located in cleared areas with a 10-foot radius free of flammable material and at least 25 feet from any structure.
- Burn barrels must be equipped with a heavy metal screen and attended at all times with water and a shovel immediately available.
- Burning is prohibited on windy days.
- Recreational fires are permitted only in approved fire rings less than six feet in diameter and must be constantly attended until fully extinguished.
- Oregon Department of Forestry permit requirements apply in ODF-protected areas.
Should extreme fire danger develop, the Union County Board of Commissioners may enact additional restrictions, including a complete ban on outdoor fires outside incorporated cities, upon recommendation of the Union County Fire Defense Board.
In addition, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will enter fire season on June 8, 2026 and implement fire season restrictions on lands protected by ODF. These restrictions apply to ODF-protected lands in Union, Baker, Wallowa, Umatilla, and parts of Malheur, Morrow, and Grant counties.
Current fire information is available from the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center at www.bmidc.org.
To report a fire: Call (541) 963-7171 or dial 9-1-1.
