Fire Season Ends in Northwest Oregon; Douglas District Remains in Fire Season

SALEM, Ore. - Fire season ended across five Oregon Department of Forestry districts Thursday, Oct. 15, but the announcement does not change fire regulations in Douglas County.

The change took effect at 12:01 a.m. for lands protected by ODF’s Forest Grove, Tillamook, Astoria, North Cascade, and West Oregon districts. Their protection areas span portions of 10 northwest Oregon counties.

For Douglas County residents, the distinction matters. The Douglas Forest Protective Association continues to list fire season as active in the Douglas District, with moderate fire danger and moderate public use restrictions. Backyard debris burning, including debris piles and burn barrels, remains prohibited on lands subject to those restrictions.

The Umpqua National Forest operates under separate federal fire regulations. Its current status lists moderate fire danger and Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1, although no public use restrictions are currently in place. The northwest Oregon announcement does not change those conditions or requirements.

In the five northwest Oregon districts, the end of fire season removes ODF’s seasonal permit requirement for residential yard debris burning and burn barrels. Residents should still check local burning rules before lighting a fire, since other restrictions may apply.

ODF urged residents to avoid burning during dry or windy weather, keep water and a shovel nearby, and attend burn piles until they are fully extinguished. Property owners remain responsible for burning safely.

Seasonal fire requirements for industrial operations have also ended in the affected districts. Burning logging slash, however, requires a permit throughout the year.

Residents can check local burning regulations at beforeyouburn.net. For Douglas County conditions, consult DFPA’s fire status dashboard and the Umpqua National Forest’s fire information page before burning or heading into the woods.