Burning Information

Current Fire Danger: Low

Outside Burning

If you wish to burn, you must call the Polk County Burn Line (503) 838-2020 to check burn hours for that particular day.

Today's Burn Notice
Residential backyard burning of yard debris is permitted between March 1 and June 15 (Spring Season) , and again between October 1 and December 15 (Fall Season).
Agricultural burning is allowed for commercial agricultural operation only. No written permit is needed.
Recreational and ceremonial fires are permitted anytime. No written permit is needed. Clean-burning wood products only. No burning of yard debris is permitted.

Residential Backyard Burning

Within the Fire District boundaries residential backyard burning is regulated by both the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Polk County. DEQ rules can be found at the link below. Backyard burning is allocated for the spring and fall season. However, it may be closed on any given day during the season, due to weather or air quality issues, so people are required to check the Polk County Burn Line on a daily basis. The burn lines are normally updated by 8:00 am each day. There is no backyard burning outside of the season.

Spring Valley Fire District does not require a permit to burn within our district. Burning of tree trimmings, lawn clippings and other yard waste is permitted on burn days. Burning of lumber, construction materials, plastics and other waste is forbidden.. Always take into consideration the location of your burn pile related to any structures or flammable materials and always have a hose and hand tool ready. If you have any questions or concerns please give us a call. The Fire District will respond to illegal burn calls to ascertain if the fire is "hostile". A hostile fire is one that is an immediate threat to life or property.

If residents are concerned about possible illegal burning, they may call the DEQ to report the burn at (888) 997-7888.

The following materials are always prohibited from being burned:

Rubber products
Tires; Plastic
Wet Garbage
Petroleum & petroleum-treated materials
Asphalt or industrial waste
Any material that creates dense smoke or noxious odors.

WARNING: GASOLINE AND OTHER FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS ARE VERY VOLATILE AND DANGEROUS. DO NOT USE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS TO START YOUR FIRE!

Agricultural Burning

Burning of any agricultural waste generated by an agricultural operation that uses or intends to use land primarily for the purpose of obtaining profit by raising, harvesting, and selling crops or animals. Prohibited materials such as tires cannot be burned, even in an agricultural setting. If you make your primary living from an agricultural operation, you are considered an agricultural operator and can agricultural burn. If you don't make your primary living from the agricultural operation, you are a backyard burner and subject to backyard burning rules. Contact your local fire district for information about backyard burning.

Field Burning

The Oregon Department of Agriculture regulates the burning of residue from grass seed crop harvests. If you have a complaint about field burning, please call the Department of Agriculture (ODA) at 503-986-4709. If you have questions, call 503-986-4701 or email ODA.

Slash Burning

The burning of limbs and debris leftover from a timber harvest (logging) operation. If you live within ODF-protected lands, you must get a slash-burn permit from ODF 503-859-2151.

If you choose to Burn your yard debris, burn responsibly and follow these safety tips:

Know the weather forecast. Never burn on very dry or windy days, as the fire can easily spread out of control.
Burn only yard debris. State regulations prohibit the open burning of any material that creates dense smoke or noxious odors.
Keep your burn pile small, or use a burn barrel. Clear at least a 15-foot radius around a barrel and at least a 25-foot radius around your burn pile, and make sure there are no tree branches or power lines above. Wet down the surrounding area before, during, and after the burn.
Always have water and fire tools on site. Keep a water-charged hose, a bucket of water, a shovel, and dirt or sand nearby to extinguish the fire. Stay with the fire. Oregon law requires you to continually monitor a debris burn from start to finish until it is completely out.
Extinguish the fire. Drown the burn pile with water, stir the coals, and drown again. Repeat until the fire is completely out.
Recheck the fire. Go back and recheck old burn piles, as they can retain heat for several weeks and rekindle when the weather warms and the wind begins to blow.