Backyard Burning Program

Lane County Residential Backyard Burning Program

Lane County backyard burning advisory line: (541) 726-3976
Florence area backyard burning advisory line: (541) 997-1757

LRAPA regulates open burning in Lane County to minimize impacts of smoke in the local airshed. LRAPA has a backyard burning program to let people know when and if outdoor burning is allowed in their areas. The regulations differ depending upon location, local city and county ordinances and LRAPA rules. Most metropolitan areas are limited to a burn season, but the season may vary from area to area. In addition, local fire districts may enforce further limitation on burn seasons. Read on to find out why...

Illegal Backyard Burning Doesn't Pay... Unless you're collecting the fines*
	$4,200 Assessed Fine Burning Garbage, Tires, Furniture, Treated Wood, etc. on a Non-burn Day		$3,500 Assessed Fine Burning Tires, Asphalt Roofing, Wiring, Carpeting, Appliances, Railroad ties, Insulation, etc.
	$500 Assessed Fine Burning Household Garbage		$140 Assessed Fine Burning Legal Materials on a Non-burn Day
*By state statute, fees collected by LRAPA as civil penalties are remitted to the Lane County general fund.

The agency provides the community with a daily backyard burning advisory. However, it is the citizens responsibility to check local regulations regarding their specific area.

• Generally residents who can burn may burn woody yard debris that has been generated on their own property. They may not bring in materials from other locations to burn.
• All burning must be constantly attended until extinguished
• All burning must be extinguished by sunset
• No burn shall create a public nuisance or hazard
• No burn shall contain prohibited materials, including but not limited to, garbage, plastics, wire insulations, asbestos-containing materials, tires, automobile parts, asphalts, petroleum products, treated wood, rubber, or animal remains
• Open Burning Letter Permits may be issued in some instances for burning outside the scope of this program. The application for a letter permit must be made in writing to LRAPA using LRAPA's "Request for Open Burning Application" form.

• Residential barbecues used for cooking
• Fires set or permitted by any public agency for weed abatement, fire hazard prevention, safety or fire fighting
• Agricultural open burning
• Open burning permitted under the Forest Practices Smoke Management Plan

What about recreational fires?
LRAPA rules exempt recreational fires used in designated recreational areas, such as parks, recreational campsites, campgrounds and on private property, except during the winter months between November and February when the mandatory "Home Wood Heating (HWH)" programs are in affect. During the HWH season, recreational fires are prohibited on Yellow and Red HWH advisory days. Residents can obtain the daily HWH advisory on LRAPA's home page.

LRAPA rules do prohibit certain materials from being burned in recreational fires. Generally, dry firewood, manufactured presto-type logs and charcoal briquettes may be burned in recreational fires. Woody yard trimmings, grass clippings and leaves are not allowed burned, nor are other prohibited materials as defined by LRAPA rules. The prohibited materials include but not limited to, garbage, plastics, wire insulations, asbestos-containing materials, tires, automobile parts, asphalts, petroleum products, treated wood, rubber, or animal remains.

Backyard Burning Regulations:

Inside Eugene city limits
Prohibited year-round.

Inside Springfield city limits
Prohibited on lots smaller than one-half acre. Prohibited on Sundays. Limited to the open burning season October 15 - June 15, with valid permit from local fire department when required. No burning of grass clippings or fallen leaves or other prohibited materials.

Inside the Eugene/Springfield Urban Growth Boundary (ESUGB)
Prohibited on lots smaller than one-half acre. Limited to the open burning season October 15 - June 15, with valid permit from local fire department when required. No burning of grass clipping or fallen leaves or other prohibited materials.

Inside affected fire districts and outside the ESUGB
Burning allowed during the burn season October 15 - June 15, with valid permit from local fire department when required. No burning of prohibited materials.

Coastal Lane County
Florence area backyard burning advisory line: (541) 997-1757

Inside Florence city limits
Backyard burning is prohibited year-round by city ordinance.

LRAPA, Western Lane District (ODF), Siuslaw Rural Fire Protection District t #1, Mapleton Rural Fire District and Swisshome/Deadwood Rural Fire District, all help regulate open burning in coastal Lane County. (Coastal Lane County encompasses the western side of the coast mountain range.) Although LRAPA rules affect the entire county, the fire protection agencies may set additional rules to further protect their communities. Residents should contact their local fire districts for specific regulations in their area.

• ODF, Western Lane District - 541 997-8713
• Siuslaw Valley Fire & Rescue - 541 997-3212
• Mapleton Rural Fire Protection District - 541 268-4721
• Swisshome/Deadwood Rural Fire Protection District - 541 268-4206

All other areas of Lane County - Burning allowed year-round with a valid permit from the local fire district. No burning of prohibited materials.

• Attend the fire at all time
• Follow the daily start and stop burning times.
• Burning only dry, loosely stacked debris, free of dirt, rocks and other non-combustible materials
• Build a small, hot fire to which fuel can be continuously fed to avoid smoldering
• Have tools available for controlling or extinguishing the fire
• Recreational fires are prohibited at your residence

How does LRAPA determine the day's backyard burning advisory?

To determine the advisory, LRAPA considers current air pollution levels, weather conditions and the Air Quality Index - a national index used for rating air quality. When air quality is marginal or weather conditions are stagnant, backyard burning is usually prohibited.

For more information download our brochure (in Adobe Acrobat).

Daily Backyard Burning Advisory Phone Number: 726-3976