Union County

Union County remains under regulated fire season guidelines as outlined in 2024-02 Union County Ordinance. Open burning continues to be prohibited, with the exception of regulated agricultural field burning. The use of incinerators and burn barrels is permitted between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., provided they meet the requirements of the ordinance. Fire pits, fire appliances, and charcoal barbecues are allowed, and recreational campfires are permitted if specific guidelines are followed. These guidelines include containing fires within a rock-lined pit surrounded by dirt, rock, or a commercial fire ring. Combustible materials must be kept at least three feet from the fire ring, and readily combustible materials such as dry grass must be cleared at least ten feet around the fire site. The full ordinance is available on the Union County website at https://unioncountyor.gov/.

The Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests have announced a reduction in fire danger levels from high to moderate and have rescinded Phase A Public Use Restrictions. Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1 remains in effect, requiring certain precautions to minimize wildfire risk during commercial and industrial operations such as timber harvest or firewood cutting.

The Northeast Oregon Department of Forestry has also reduced fire danger to moderate, although fire season remains in effect for all lands under its protection.

The Union County burn line at 541-963-4040 remains out of service until further notice. For up-to-date information, residents are encouraged to visit the Union County website at https://unioncountyor.gov/ and the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center website at https://bmidc.org/.

Fire officials remind the public to remain cautious with all activities that could potentially spark a fire and appreciate the continued cooperation in preventing wildfires.

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