New On-line Tool Looks To Prevent Wildfires In Oregon

Oregon’s Department of Forestry has a new online tool for backyard debris burning.  The state said debris burns that get away cause over 200 fires each year.

Tom Fields, Fire Prevention Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Forestry, said their new tool will help prevent wildfires.

"First question is, can I burn?  The second question is, if I can burn what are the rules and regulations and how do I agree to that so that I have a safe debris burn that doesn't get away from me," Fields said.

In addition the website (linked in the image above), there's also an app that gives you specific information for your location.  Fields said it looks at several factors.

"DEQ might say it's okay, because of air quality, but maybe we're in fire season and it's really not okay," Fields said.  "The red light would overtake the green light and then it would say that burning is actually not okay at that time."

Most Oregon fire agencies are signed up for the app.  If they're not, users are directed to the backyard burning phone hotline.

Click Here to check out the Department of Forestry’s new website.

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