WASHINGTON COUNTY, Oregon — Multiple fire agencies in Washington County have issued a burn ban, warning of high fire danger, starting July 1.

Based on a Washington County Fire Defense Board recommendation, the ban will begin on July 1 at 7 a.m., according to Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R). 

The ban includes backyard or open burning such as with yard debris, agricultural burning or any other land clearing or controlled burning. 

It does not, however, extend to barbeque grills, smokers and other small outdoor cooking or recreational fires, such as fire pits and campfires, so long as there is a "maximum fuel area of 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height in a safe location away from combustibles or vegetation and are fully extinguished after use."

The ban also does not appear to include fireworks, which are not restricted in the area beyond Oregon state law, which permits the sale and use of ground-based consumer fireworks like wheels, fountains and sparklers from June 23 to July 6; aerial devices like bottle rockets and roman candles are banned statewide.

TVF&R said that a person who violates the ban may be liable for all costs, including legal fees, and the fire will be extinguished. 

The agencies issuing the ban include Banks Fire District #13, Cornelius Fire Department, Forest Grove Fire Department, Gaston Rural Fire District, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. 

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