Linn County Outdoor Burning Delayed Until October 15, 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 a delay in the start of the fall outdoor burning season. Originally set for October 1, 2024, the new start date will be October 15, 2024. This decision was made in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) due to ongoing fire safety concerns.
The 2024 fire season has been one of the most severe in Oregon’s history. Data from the ODF shows that more than 2,400 fires have occurred statewide this year. Of these, 89 were classified as “large fires,” each burning over 1,000 acres, with potentially 50 of them caused by human activity. In total, over 1.9 million acres have burned, setting a new record for the state.
The decision to delay the fall burning season is driven by ongoing fire risk conditions. Despite cooler temperatures typical for fall, Oregon is still experiencing unusually dry weather, with low humidity levels and dry vegetation that continue to fuel fire hazards. These factors, combined with strong seasonal winds, create an elevated risk of wildfires spreading rapidly if outdoor burning is allowed too soon.
Burning during this extended closed season could significantly worsen the current fire situation. As a result, the Linn County Fire Defense Board and ODF have enacted stricter regulations to ensure public safety. It is critical for residents to comply with these restrictions to avoid further strain on firefighting resources and help prevent additional fires.
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 review conditions as the October 15 start date approaches. 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
