Backyard flames are getting the cold shoulder in East Multnomah County starting Monday, June 15, as a summer burn ban kicks in across Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview and unincorporated Multnomah County (Fire District 10). The order shuts down backyard burning, agricultural and land‑clearing burns, plus recreational campfires and fire pits until conditions improve.
What the ban covers
According to the Gresham Police Department's post on Facebook, the Multnomah County Fire Defense Board's ban covers three big categories: backyard burning; agricultural burning, including previously permitted land‑clearing, slash, stump and debris burns; and recreational campfires and fire pits. The post specifies that Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview and Multnomah County Fire District 10 are all under the order.
Why officials acted
Fire agencies say the clampdown is a direct response to forecasts of hot, dry weather and increasing wildfire risk across the Pacific Northwest. The area is heading into official fire season on June 15, tightening restrictions on ODF‑protected lands, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry. "This decision is rooted in our responsibility to protect the community and our natural resources," Fire Defense Board Chief Chris Barney said, per the City of Gresham.
What you can still use
The ban does not put every outdoor flame on ice. Outdoor cooking devices such as grills, smokers and similar appliances fueled by charcoal, pellets, propane or natural gas are still allowed, though officials stress they should be used with extreme caution. Portland Fire & Rescue advises keeping grills at least 10 feet from anything that can burn and soaking used briquettes before throwing them out to avoid accidental fires.
Legal consequences
Under Oregon law (ORS 478.965; Oregon Legislature), anyone who starts a fire in willful violation of the ban can be held liable for suppression costs and legal fees. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue and other agencies note they may seek cost recovery if they are forced to respond to illegal burns.
How to check before you burn
Residents are urged to double‑check before lighting any kind of outdoor fire that might be allowed. You can call the East Multnomah County burn information line at 503‑618‑3083 or check the county’s burn status online to confirm daily whether burning is permitted, according to Multnomah County. For local questions about permits and safer alternatives, Gresham Fire can be reached at 503‑618‑2355, per the City of Gresham.
Local context
A similar countywide ban last summer drew the same kind of warnings: clear dry vegetation, create defensible space around structures and treat any open flame as a potential wildfire threat. The message this year is familiar and simple for East Multnomah County residents: keep the fires small, controlled and, for now, strictly in the grill.
