PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — With a record-breaking heatwave expected to hit the Portland metro area this weekend, Clackamas Fire District and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue announced Thursday that there will be fire restrictions in the county from Friday to Monday.
Clackamas County said the fire restrictions affect backyard and agricultural burning. Fire pits and grills are not included in the burn ban.
The restrictions reduce wildfire potential, Clackamas Fire said.
People can see if their address is affected by the burn ban here.
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue’s jurisdiction, including parts of Washington, Clackamas, Yamhill and Multnomah counties, is also under a burn ban which they said will be in place until the weather pattern passes.
Just like Clackamas County’s ban, this ban also prohibits backyard and agricultural burning as well as any land clearing.
“We need to pay attention to the burn bans. We need to take personal responsibility for what we’re doing around our homes, and while we’re recreating,” said Lieutenant Matt Laas. “We need to be considerate of things we’re using out in the woods whether it’s chainsaws, motorcycles, various equipment, and how we can prepare to mitigate any problems that we cause ourselves.”
Laas told KOIN 6 that most fires are caused by humans and the jurisdiction-wide burn ban will help mitigate fire risks amid projected high winds and temperatures – a perfect recipe for wildland fires.
“It’s just a matter of minutes,” Schultz said. “As that fuel dries out and the wind picks up. And the wind or the temperature (either one) can make a difference on how quickly that spreads.”
Stay with KOIN 6 News for continuing hot weather coverage.