Jefferson County residents can once again light up their burn piles as of October 1 — but not without a permit, and not without checking the burn line first.
The Jefferson County Fire & EMS Department announced that residential burning is officially back in season following months of closures tied to elevated fire danger across Central Oregon. The reopening marks the return of one of fall's most practical chores for rural and semi-rural residents: clearing out accumulated yard debris before winter sets in.
Get Your Free Permit First
A burn permit is required before any open burning on residential property. The good news: they're free. Permits can be picked up in person at the Jefferson County Fire & EMS station at 765 S. Fifth Street in Madras, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Before lighting anything, residents must also call the burn line at (541) 475-1789 to confirm it is a legal burn day. Burning can still be temporarily suspended due to poor air quality, high winds, or Red Flag Warnings — even during the open season.
Safety Rules to Follow
- Never leave a fire unattended
- Keep water sources close to the burn site
- Extinguish all fires by sunset
- Do not burn garbage, plastic, diapers, rubber, dead animals, or auto bodies
- Commercial and industrial waste is prohibited
FireFree Drop-Off Events This Month
For residents who prefer not to burn — or who want to dispose of larger quantities of debris — Jefferson County Fire & EMS will be hosting two FireFree events in October. These free events allow residents to drop off yard debris and other eligible materials at the Box Canyon Transfer Station, where the fire department collects and disposes of it safely.
Dates for the October FireFree events have not yet been finalized; residents can call (541) 475-7274 for the schedule and eligibility information.
With cooler temperatures and shorter days settling in across Jefferson County, the next few weeks offer ideal conditions for safe outdoor burning. Fire officials ask all residents to take the permit and safety requirements seriously — a dry fall can still carry fire risk even as the official season winds down.