Linn County Outdoor Burning Delayed Until October 20, 2024
The Linn County Fire Defense Board, representing the fire agencies of Albany, Lebanon, Sweet Home, Scio, Tangent, Brownsville, Halsey-Shedd, and Harrisburg, has announced an extension of the outdoor burning ban. Originally delayed to October 15, 2024, the start of the fall outdoor burning season has now been pushed to October 20, 2024. This decision is in alignment with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), as fire safety concerns remain due to ongoing dry conditions.
While ODF forecasts significant wetting rains around October 20, current conditions—including a lack of rain and warmer-than-usual temperatures—continue to fuel fire risks across the state. The 2024 fire season has been one of the most severe in Oregon’s history, with more than 2,400 fires reported statewide. Of these, 89 were classified as "large fires," each burning over 1,000 acres, and human activity is believed to have caused around 50 of them. In total, over 1.9 million acres have burned this year, setting a new record for the state.
The extended delay in the outdoor burning season is necessary due to dry vegetation, low humidity, and strong winds, which together create an elevated risk of wildfires spreading quickly if burning is allowed too early. Residents must comply with these restrictions to protect public safety and prevent additional strain on firefighting resources.
Alternatives to Open Burning:
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Recycle paper products
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Dispose of waste at a landfill
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Compost yard debris and kitchen scraps
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Reuse old lumber
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Use a chipper to create mulch or compost
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Organize a neighborhood cleanup day
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Take hazardous materials like oil-based paints, solvents, garden chemicals, and car fluids to a hazardous waste collection site. Burning these materials is illegal and dangerous.
The Linn County Fire Defense Board and ODF will continue to monitor conditions leading up to the new October 20 start date. For updates on the outdoor burning season, please call the Linn County Burn Line at 541-451-1904 or check the Willamette Valley Open Burning Announcement at https://smkmgt.com/burn.php.
County Chief's Message
Chief Shane Wooton, Albany Fire Dept.
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Hello and welcome to the Linn County Fire Defense Board web page. I am Shane Wooton, Fire Chief of Albany Fire Department and have been serving as the Fire Defense Board Chief since Fall of 2021. The Fire Defense Board is comprised of local fire chiefs and chief officers who have authority to make decisions on behalf of a fire chief.
The Linn County Fire Defense Board is charged with several responsibilities. We must elect one chief or chief officer to serve a three year term as Fire Defense Board Chief, conduct semi-annual meetings, develop a fire district service plan to respond with mutual aid forces, maintain liaison with other agencies capable of augmenting or supporting firefighting resources and administer the State Mobilization Plan.
Our goal is to provide the best service to our patrons, assist our neighbors through mutual or automatic aid agreements, and to support the Oregon State Fire Marshal through the Conflagration Act. I am honored to work with such a strong group of professionals who are dedicated to serving our communities and aiding our neighbors.
Thank you for visiting our web page.
Shane Wooton
Fire Chief
Albany Fire Department
