Burn season opens in Sisters Country

Deschutes County fire chiefs agreed to open controlled burning within Deschutes County last weekend. Municipal and rural fire jurisdictions opened burning Saturday, October 20, for outdoor burning of debris and agricultural burns with the exceptions noted below.

Black Butte Ranch Fire District entered a limited burning period that began October 20, and runs through Sunday, December 2.

The City of Sisters has a year-round ban on outdoor burning within city limits.

Residents are strongly encouraged to call the burn information line at 541-549-2333 prior to burning. The chiefs also strongly recommend that those who chose to burn debris do so early in the day, prior to winds picking up that could spread a fire to nearby combustibles.

"While colder temperatures and added moisture decrease the potential for debris burns to escape and become a wildfire hazard, we ask that residents please take special care in burning activities," said Chief Koellermeier, chairman of the Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association.

Fire agencies may make independent changes based on weather and fuel conditions; review all local regulations before burning activities.

The U.S. Forest Service will continue with planned burning projects on federal lands.