Oregon Dept. of Forestry

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News Release

Fire Season Continues In Lane County — No Set Date For Backyard Burning To Begin - 09/29/26

Lane County, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Western Lane and South Cascade Districts and the Lane Fire Defense Board (LFDB) want to remind Lane County residents it is still fire season. There is no fixed date when fire season will end, but ODF and LFDB say current conditions suggest it could run until mid-October at the earliest.

 

The end of fire season is based on factors like rainfall, temperatures, and fuel moisture returning to safe levels. Until the end of fire season, all backyard debris burning, regulated by the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA), remains prohibited for all of Lane County.

 

This summer was one of Oregon's most severe fire seasons on record, with more than 2.5 million acres burned statewide. Recent rain and cooler temperatures have lowered the wildfire risk; however, there is not significant precipitation expected in the extended weather forecast.

 

“The rain in September was very welcomed given the record-breaking fire season. However, we will need more precipitation and better fuel conditions to end fire season,” said Ole Buch, ODF Western Lane District Forester. “Restrictions associated with fire season are in place as a fire prevention tool to protect Oregon’s natural resources and communities.”

 

Outdoor yard debris burning is always prohibited during an active fire season, even when fire danger is rated low. Residents who start a wildfire in Oregon can be held responsible for the cost of putting it out.

 

“Some people have the misperception that Oct. 1 is a hard start date for backyard burning,” said Matt Sorensen, LRAPA Public Affairs Manager. “It’s not — Oct. 1 is simply the earliest possible date LRAPA’s rules allow.”

Sorensen continued, “Wildfire smoke is the number one driver of poor air quality, and it only takes one escaped fire to cause really bad air quality impacts. That’s why ODF, the Lane Fire Defense Board, and LRAPA are asking everyone to be patient and wait for the end of fire season.”

 

Leaders at ODF and the Lane Fire Defense Board say the exact date for the end of fire season will be shared as soon as it is determined.

 

Even after fire season officially ends, residents should check local fire restrictions and fire danger levels (http://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx) before lighting any fire.

 

Wildfire prevention best practices:

•  Outdoor yard debris burning remains the number one cause of human-caused fires in Oregon and is prohibited during fire season. Cover your pile and wait until fire season is declared over before burning. A dry, covered pile is cleaner and safer to burn in the late fall and winter. Visit beforeyouburn.net for real-time updates on burning regulations and safe burning practices.

•  Check local restrictions before lighting a campfire or warming fire.

•  Never leave a fire unattended.

•  Make sure your fire is OUT COLD. Drown it with water, stir the ashes, and repeat the process until it is cold to touch. Any warmth means it can reignite later.

 

For real-time burning regulations, visit beforeyouburn.net. For more wildfire prevention tips, visit keeporegongreen.org.

 

Fire Season Continues In Lane County — No Set Date For Backyard Burning To Begin - 09/29/26

Lane County, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Western Lane and South Cascade Districts and the Lane Fire Defense Board (LFDB) want to remind Lane County residents it is still fire season. There is no fixed date when fire season will end, but ODF and LFDB say current conditions suggest it could run until mid-October at the earliest.

 

The end of fire season is based on factors like rainfall, temperatures, and fuel moisture returning to safe levels. Until the end of fire season, all backyard debris burning, regulated by the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency (LRAPA), remains prohibited for all of Lane County.

 

This summer was one of Oregon's most severe fire seasons on record, with more than 2.5 million acres burned statewide. Recent rain and cooler temperatures have lowered the wildfire risk; however, there is not significant precipitation expected in the extended weather forecast.

 

“The rain in September was very welcomed given the record-breaking fire season. However, we will need more precipitation and better fuel conditions to end fire season,” said Ole Buch, ODF Western Lane District Forester. “Restrictions associated with fire season are in place as a fire prevention tool to protect Oregon’s natural resources and communities.”

 

Outdoor yard debris burning is always prohibited during an active fire season, even when fire danger is rated low. Residents who start a wildfire in Oregon can be held responsible for the cost of putting it out.

 

“Some people have the misperception that Oct. 1 is a hard start date for backyard burning,” said Matt Sorensen, LRAPA Public Affairs Manager. “It’s not — Oct. 1 is simply the earliest possible date LRAPA’s rules allow.”

Sorensen continued, “Wildfire smoke is the number one driver of poor air quality, and it only takes one escaped fire to cause really bad air quality impacts. That’s why ODF, the Lane Fire Defense Board, and LRAPA are asking everyone to be patient and wait for the end of fire season.”

 

Leaders at ODF and the Lane Fire Defense Board say the exact date for the end of fire season will be shared as soon as it is determined.

 

Even after fire season officially ends, residents should check local fire restrictions and fire danger levels (http://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx) before lighting any fire.

 

Wildfire prevention best practices:

•  Outdoor yard debris burning remains the number one cause of human-caused fires in Oregon and is prohibited during fire season. Cover your pile and wait until fire season is declared over before burning. A dry, covered pile is cleaner and safer to burn in the late fall and winter. Visit beforeyouburn.net for real-time updates on burning regulations and safe burning practices.

•  Check local restrictions before lighting a campfire or warming fire.

•  Never leave a fire unattended.

•  Make sure your fire is OUT COLD. Drown it with water, stir the ashes, and repeat the process until it is cold to touch. Any warmth means it can reignite later.

 

For real-time burning regulations, visit beforeyouburn.net. For more wildfire prevention tips, visit keeporegongreen.org.