Outdoor Burning Categories
A recreational fire (campfire, cooking fire or warming fire) is a small, occasional (less than four per month) fire, which is no larger than three feet in diameter and two feet high, burning only dry, cut firewood. Recreational fires are allowed year-round throughout the county under low fire danger level, except if prohibited by city code.
Recreational fires are not allowed during extreme fire dangers within the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) boundaries. ODF boundary runs East of Amisigger Road in Boring, Northeast and East of Springwater Road, and East of Hwy 213 and Hwy 211. Outside of the ODF boundary, homeowners may have recreational fires, but are strongly encouraged not to when ODF declares a regulated fire season. During any fire danger level, homeowners are responsible for their recreational fires. In the event a fire becomes out of control, a homeowner may be held liable for any costs associated with the extinguishment of such fire. Homeowners who choose to have a recreational fire during extreme fire danger level, will be held liable for associated costs in extinguishment of such fire, if the fires poses a threat to life or property.
To determine if you live within an ODF boundary, click here and provide your address.
Recreational fires are not for disposal purposes or to be used in order to burn prohibited materials, such as plastic, rubber or garbage. For fire safety reasons, recreational fires shall be 25 feet from any structure or combustible material, or only 15 feet if contained in a non-combustible fire pit less than four feet in diameter and a minimum of 12 inches high.
(Backyard Burn Season: March 1 – June 15 and October 1 – December 15)
Backyard burning is the burning of organic yard debris on the property of origin, on approved burn days, during approved burn hours, as indicated by the daily burn message at: 503.742.2945. Backyard burning is only allowed on property located outside of the DEQ Burn Ban Area (Open Burning Control Area) and is not recommended in compact housing developments. Backyard burning may occur under Clackamas Fire authority of a public “Open Permit.” This authority can be withdrawn by Clackamas Fire or DEQ for unlawful burning, such as burning prohibited materials, fire safety violations or burning on non-approved days. A City of Happy Valley Burn Permit is also required for residents within the City of Happy Valley city limits with more than ONE acre of land (click HERE for information.)
Backyard burning materials must be dried, to the extent practicable, loosely stacked, (to provide adequate air supply) and periodically re-stacked to ensure good combustion, therefore avoiding smoldering fires. If the smoke or odor emission affects others, the fire must be extinguished. Materials prohibited from burning include, but are not limited to, garbage, plastic, rubber, petroleum treated materials and any other material that creates dense smoke and noxious odors.
Backyard burn piles can be no larger than 10’x10’x10’ and must be a minimum of 50 feet from a structure or other combustible materials. A maximum of two burn piles may be burned at any one time, if space allows. All backyard burning fires must be extinguished by the fires out time, which means no flames or smoke at the end of the established burn hours.