Wood Burning Restrictions

Today’s Burn Status

There is a mandatory burn ban for safety issued by the Multnomah County Fire Defense Board in all areas of Multnomah County. The burn ban includes all backyard burning, recreational fires, burning yard debris, agricultural burning, and permits issued for open burning until further notice. Residents should exercise extreme caution when cooking outside. Check with your local Fire Department/District for more information or to report a fire.

Updates are posted by 11am each day and are effective starting at noon. Last update: September 29 2023; 9:53 am.

Help spread the word, request a FREE lawn sign.

Multnomah County has a Wood Burning Curtailment Ordinance

Burning wood is one of the biggest sources of harmful air pollution in Multnomah County. Multnomah County may issue wood burning restrictions on poor air quality days.

En Español: Restricciones de Quema de Madera

How the Wood Burning Ordinance Works

Homeowners, renters and businesses in Multnomah County cannot burn wood when the air quality is forecasted to be poor. On poor air quality days, people may not use:

Wood/pellet stoves
Fireplaces
Outdoor fire pits
Chimineas

There are exceptions for those who must use wood to heat their homes, those with limited income, and during emergencies such as a power outage. Households with an exception should apply for an exemption each year.

Wood smoke restrictions are common in other communities around Oregon. The restrictions are designed to protect public health and keep our region in compliance with national air quality standards.

If You Must Burn Wood

Check air quality conditions and burn advisory status every time before you burn. Red means “stop.” Yellow means "limit".

If poor air quality is expected, Multnomah County will issue a burn restriction (red) day. Advisories and restrictions take effect by noon the same day. Watch for messages on this page, social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Nextdoor) and local news media.

You Can Still Use Your Grill

The ordinance does not apply to cooking food. Charcoal grills, smokers or wood fired ovens are ok.

Wood Smoke Complaints

Call 503-988-0035 or fill out an online complaint to report a violation on a wood-burning restriction (red) day. We will work to respond within 1-2 business days.

Burning Yard Debris and Warm Weather Fires

Backyard burning is NEVER permitted inside the Burn Ban Boundary. The Burn Ban Boundary includes parts of Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington County.

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regulates outdoor/open burning (see DEQ's definitions of burning). For the areas outside of the burn boundary, cities and local fire districts have their own restrictions on open burning.

Information on outdoor burn status outside of the burn ban area in Multnomah County: