Effective Monday, all fire agencies within Washington County have banned outdoor burning of yard debris, crops and fields to mitigate wildfire risks during the peak fire season.

The burn ban does not extend to small outdoor cooking, warming, or recreational fires, such as those in portable or permanent fire pits, fire tables, and campfires, provided they are safely managed and fully extinguished after use.

Barbecue grills, smokers, and similar cooking appliances using clean, dry firewood, briquettes, wood chips, pellets, propane, natural gas or similar fuels are also exempt.

The burn ban is authorized under the Oregon Fire Code and state law. Violations of the ban may result in potential liability for all costs incurred by fire agencies plus legal fees.

Fire chiefs in Washington County urge the public to exercise extreme caution with any activities that could ignite a fire and emphasize that preventing wildfires is everyone’s responsibility.

For more information on additional fire safety rules, particularly those applicable near Oregon Department of Forestry protected land, visit the agency’s fire restrictions website.

— David Nuñez covers breaking news and public safety for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-294-7607 or dnunez@oregonian.com.

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