When You Can Burn:

Backyard burning is permitted only from March 1st through June 15th and from October 15th through December 1st each year.  The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality may prohibit backyard burning due to unaccepable air quality levels even during these periods.  Additionally, the Washington County Fire Defense Board Chief may prohibit burning at any time due to dangerously dry conditions. 

Before You Burn:

Call the Burn Line at 503-681-6204.  Don't risk a fine!  Burning outside of the burn hours, outside of the burn season or during a burn ban may result in fines up to $10,000 per day.

Preparing to Burn:

• Create a firebreak around the burn pile. A firebreak is a cleared space of 10-feet around the perimeter of the burn area that contains no combustible materials.  Scrape the perimeter down to bare earth with a shovel.
• Keep burn piles small and controllable. Big fires start small! 
• Do not burn within 50-feet of any structures and/or other combustibles. 
• Never leave an open burn unattended. Always stay by the burn area.
• Have a charged water hose ready with a shovel or rake.  
• Never use an accelerant on a fire (e.g., gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.) 
• Keep children away from the burn area. 

You Can Burn These Items From Your Yard In Your Yard:

• Leaves
• Tree limbs
• Tree needles

You Can NEVER Burn These Items:

• Tires or any rubber products
• Plastic
• Any household or wet garbage
• Petroleum products
• Petroleum or chemically treated products, such as pressure treated fence posts or lumber
• Construction debris
• Asphalt
• Any industrial products or waste
• Aerosol cans
• Any material that creats dense smoke or noxious odors

Key Facts:

• Under Oregon law, DEQ regulates open burning to protect air quality. Hillsboro Fire Department and the Washington County Fire Defense Board regulate burning for fire safety.
• Open burning includes any burning outdoors. A fire in a "burn barrel" is open burning as well as burning debris in an outdoor fireplace or backyard incinerator.
• It is against the law to conduct any open burning that:
  • Unreasonably interferes with enjoyment of life or property
  • Creates a public or private hazard
  • Is a hazard to public safety