The Oregon Department of Forestry has launched a new statewide website and mobile app, Before You Burn, to help reduce human-caused wildfires, specifically those from outdoor debris burning. This activity is the leading cause of such fires in Oregon, with the agency responding to around 225 annual incidents.
Users can access the tool at beforeyouburn.net or through app stores to check burn regulations based on their address. The app also provides guidance on how to register a burn or obtain a permit if burning is allowed.
Levi Hopkins from the Oregon Department of Forestry emphasized the app’s role in clarifying regulations statewide, aiming for a centralized resource to simplify the burning process for residents. Created over two years in collaboration with several organizations, the guidance focuses solely on backyard debris burning, excluding campfires and agricultural burns, which require separate regulations.
Officials warned that illegal burning could result in significant wildfire suppression costs. The app serves as a preventive measure, encouraging Oregonians to verify burn rules before lighting debris as fire season approaches.
