The Gresham Fire Department has initiated a comprehensive burn ban across multiple areas in response to the persistent heatwave and the heightened risk of wildfires. The restriction encompasses Gresham, Fairview, Wood Village, Troutdale, and the unincorporated parts of Multnomah County, known collectively as Fire District 10. The urgency of the ban, enforced with immediate effect, has been spurred on by the dry, sweltering conditions that show no signs of relenting, according to the predictions of the Pacific Northwest Geographic Area Coordinating Center.
As per the Fire Department, the burn ban includes several activities. All backyard burning, recreational campfires, agricultural burning, permit-authorized burns, and fire pits have now been prohibited. This stringent measure is in place, through the summer's height until the cooler fall climate permits a controlled return to such activities. According to the City of Gresham, Fire Defense Board Chief Chris Barney stated, "This decision is rooted in our responsibility to protect the community and our natural resources.”
The Fire Department, however, specifies certain exclusions to the ban. Outdoor cooking devices like grills, smokers, and other appliances that utilize charcoal, wood chips, pellets, propane, or natural gas can still be used with extreme caution. Noteworthy tips include safely disposing of charcoal briquettes in a covered metal container, ideally soaked in water for days before being permanently discarded, to minimize fire risks.
Residents must also maintain a safe distance of at least 10 feet between any outdoor cooking setup and potential fire fuel like fences, shrubbery, or structures. Furthermore, smokers are cautioned to ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished before tossing them in a metal container, away from combustibles. Property owners in rural settings are encouraged to create wildfire defensible spaces around their homes, cut down on dry vegetation, and guarantee clear paths for emergency vehicles. Fireworks have been a common trigger for fires in Oregon, leading to preventable damage and injuries.
