Portland Fire announces burn ban amid excessive heat

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Days ahead of an excessive heat warning As the Portland area rolls into the weekend, officials are announcing that a burn ban is now in effect.

According to Portland Fire and Rescue, the burn ban was issued by the Fire Marshal “due to forecasted high temperatures, limited rainfall, and ongoing dry conditions.” The ban includes prohibitions against recreational campfires, fire pits, yard debris and agricultural burning. It also restricts open burning, even if a permit was issued for one, until further notice.

Though some types of burning are still permitted, such as outdoor barbecuing, officials are still urging residents to use “extreme caution.” Safety precautions include maintaining a 10-foot barrier between outdoor cooking and anything combustible, such as fences, shrubbery, or siding. In addition, charcoal briquettes should be disposed of properly, with their ashes covered in a metal container far away from combustibles and made wet for a few days before disposing permanently. People should also extinguish cigarettes or cigars completely before disposing.

Those in rural areas are advised to create defensible space by keeping growth surrounding homes and structures at bay and keeping access to firefighting equipment readily available.

Year excessive heat warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the Portland area for Thursday through Sunday. Temperatures are expected to hit triple digits over the weekend.