UTFD lifts prescribed, agricultural burn bans on the reservation

MISSION – Today the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department (UTFD) is lifting its ban on
prescribed and agricultural burns managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla
Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Range, Agriculture and Forestry program and the Bureau
of Indian Affairs (BIA) Wildland Fire program. 

However, UTFD Chief James Hall said the residential burn ban would remain in effect
on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR).

“This includes burning trash in barrels and yard debris,” Hall said. “The use of fireworks,
exploding targets and tracers is still prohibited during the burn ban as well. The burn
ban will remain in effect until the end of the fire season. With the fall weather forecast,
including predicted rains and higher relative humidity, open burning is expected to be
permitted within the next few weeks.”

Sweathouses and ceremonial fires are exempt from the open burn ban. However, to
monitor these activities, a verbal burn permit must be obtained from the Umatilla Tribal
Dispatch at 541-278-0550, pending verbal approval from the UTFD. For information
regarding burn permits, call the Office of Air Quality at 541- 429-7080.

BIA officials said the agency would conduct a controlled burn on acquired property and
UIR lands east of Indian Lake beginning Oct. 1 until the evening of Oct. 3. Officials said
the burn would start with a controlled line burn along the ridge line and canyon’s edge of
Johnson Creek. After the control line is in place, approximately 600 acres would be
burned.

Editor’s note: This release was changed to reflect today’s date, Oct. 1. It was received
from CTUIR on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

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Elkhorn Media Group