Outdoor burning bansbegin in Sisters area

Last updated 6/6/2006 at Noon

Outdoor debris burning within the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District will be suspended as of sundown, Wednesday, June 7, according to Fire Marshal David Wheeler. Even with recent rains, forest fuels are drying out and the extended weather forecast calls for a warming and drying trend, Wheeler explained.

As of May 1, the district no longer issues burning permits. Residents must have the district’s burning regulations on site and then call the district’s special phone number to learn if outdoor debris burning is allowed.

“After Wednesday, residents calling our outdoor burning phone number at 549-2333 will hear the message that outdoor debris burning is not allowed,” Wheeler said.

“The Cloverdale district also will suspend outdoor debris burning after sundown on June 7,” Cloverdale Chief Cable said. District residents can stay current on future burning regulations by calling the fire district at 548-4815.

The Black Butte Rural Fire Protection District and the Oregon Department of Forestry were reviewing the situation as of press time. They will make decisions on ending outdoor debris burning and enacting other fire regulations in the days ahead. Residents within the Black Butte Rural Fire Protection District and Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District are advised to call their local fire district offices to learn current burning restrictions. Call the Black Butte district at 595-2288 and the Cloverdale district at 548-4815.

Fire regulations are not yet in effect covering commercial forest operations and recreational activities on private forests protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in their Central Oregon District. However, that may change quickly as weather conditions change, according to a local spokesperson with ODF.

When the State Forester declares fire season on these lands, announcements will be made to the news media. For current information on local fire regulations, call the ODF Sisters office at 549-2731.

Fire regulations for national forest lands also will be announced as they are enacted. Call the Sisters Ranger District at 549-7700 for current information.