Q: When is Burning Season?
A: Burning season dates can be found here.
Q: What is the purpose of the new burn policy ?
A: The purpose of the new burn policy is to prohibit fires that emit smoke that create a nuisance or are hazardous to our health.
Q: What can I burn?
A: Paper, cardboard, and yard debris which includes limbs, twigs, and cut trees shrubbery.
Q: Can I burn leaves, grass clippings or other slow burning vegetable material.
A: No, leaves and grass clipping create smoke that can be a nuisance as well as this smoke has been found to be hazardous to our health.
Q: I have a burn barrel what can I burn?
A: If you cut down your burn barrel you can burn paper and cardboard only. Limbs, twigs, and cut tree shrubbery only can be burned in a burn barrel as long as only yard debris is burned, barrel is in good shape and a screen is used.
Q: Must I attend the fire at all times?
A: All open burning shall be constantly supervised until the fire is dead out.
Q: My neighbor burns household garbage is this legal
A: Burning household garbage is illegal at all times.
Q: What do I need before I burn?
A: Safety equipment shall be readily available during burning for use in extinguishing the fire. A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire extinguishing equipment such as water, garden hose or water truck shall be available for immediate utilization.
Q. I have a patio fire place how far from a structure does it have to be?
A: 15 feet from a structure
Q: Does the burn rules apply to a business?
A: Businesses can burn tumbleweeds and brush only. Open burning of construction, demolition and commercial waste within the City of Hermiston and within a three (3) mile radius of the City of Hermiston requires an open burn letter from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).
Q: Is burning allowed during the no burning period?
A: Yes, under special circumstances, please contact the Fire Marshal for assistance.