The Union County Board of Commissioners voted today during a regular session to lift the countywide burn ban, effective immediately. This decision followed a recommendation from the Union County Fire Defense Board. Fire Defense Board Chief Craig Kretschmer explained that due to decreased fire danger and an increase in available initial attack resources, the board advises transitioning from the burn ban back to the annual regulated use closure.

Chief Kretschmer also proposed extending the regulated use closure until October 2, 2024, with a reevaluation scheduled for the October 2 Board of Commissioners meeting. The Fire Defense Board will continue to monitor conditions, and the Board of Commissioners approved the extension.

As outlined in County Ordinance 2024-02, Union County remains under regulated fire season guidelines. Open burning is still prohibited, except for regulated agricultural field burning. Incinerators and burn barrels may be used between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., provided they meet ordinance requirements. Fire pits, fire appliances, and charcoal barbecues are permitted. Recreational campfires must follow specific guidelines, including the use of rock-lined fire pits surrounded by dirt, rock, or commercial rings. All combustible materials must be at least three feet away from the fire ring, and readily combustible materials such as dry grass must be cleared a minimum of 10 feet around the fire ring. The full ordinance is available on the Union County website at www.union-county.org.

Public use restrictions remain in place for the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests. The Northeast Oregon Department of Forestry has entered moderate fire danger but remains in fire season for all lands under its protection. Visitors to these areas are encouraged to stay informed of the latest regulations by visiting the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center website at https://bmidc.org.