Multnomah County, OR Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

458 regulates wood burning devices and recreational burning to cut air pollution. A WOOD BURNING DEVICE is any heating appliance, including fireplaces, wood stoves or firepits, that burns wood fuel or wood-derived biomass; cooking fires are excluded from the definition. RECREATIONAL BURNING is any outdoor burning on land zoned commercial or residential, including vacant lots. The Health Department issues a Yellow Day advisory when air quality is moderate or forecast to become moderate, and a Red Day advisory when it is or will be unhealthy for sensitive groups, unhealthy for all groups, very unhealthy, or hazardous.

453 makes it unlawful unless an exemption applies. 454 lists the exemptions: the device is the sole heat source for the residence or commercial building (a backup oil, gas, electric, geothermal, solar or propane system disqualifies the claim even if disconnected); the household qualifies as low income (60% or less of state median income by household size); or an emergency exists, such as a declared energy shortage, a power outage, a natural gas interruption, or a primary heat source failure lasting up to 120 days.

The Department Director may grant other exemptions, but a resident must apply and receive approval before burning on a Red Day except in a genuine emergency. 456, issuing civil penalties or restrictions once it finds a violation.