La Grande, OR – Effective 12:01 a.m. on October 11,
2025, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will officially end fire season
for all forestlands protected by the Northeast Oregon District. This includes
over 2 million acres of private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands
across Union, Baker, Umatilla, and Wallowa counties, as well as portions of
Grant, Morrow, and Malheur counties.
With the conclusion of fire season, landowners under
ODF protection may resume burning residential yard debris and using burn
barrels without a permit. However, this change does not relieve anyone of their
legal responsibility to burn safely and responsibly.
"Landowners with large debris or slash piles
should continue to exercise caution," said Matt Hoehna, Assistant District
Forester. “This early in the fall, periods of dry weather remain a possibility.
Before burning, always check the smoke management forecast and contact your
local ODF office with any questions or clarification.”
Burning & Smoke Management
Guidelines
· Residential Burning (Yard Debris/Burn Barrels):
If you are not within a rural or city fire department jurisdiction, no burn
permit is required on lands protected solely by ODF's Northeast Oregon
District.
However, if you are within a fire department’s protection area or the
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), check with them
directly for current restrictions and permit requirements.
· Slash Burning (Forestry/Logging):
Burning of slash from forestry operations requires a Notification of
Operation/PDM, as well as check the smoke management weather forecast:
o
Call:
541-963-4040
o
Visit: ODF Smoke Management Forecast
ODF’s Northeast Oregon District sincerely
thanks landowners, forest operators,
the public, and interagency
partners for their support in fire prevention, detection, and
suppression throughout the 2025 fire season.
For more
information, contact your local ODF office:
·
La Grande Unit:
(541) 963-3168
·
Baker City Sub-Unit: (541) 523-5831
·
Wallowa Unit:
(541) 886-2881
·
Pendleton Unit:
(541) 276-3491
To report a fire, call the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center
at (541) 963-7171,
or dial 911.
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