Thursday, February 28, 2013

Spring Backyard Burn Season Starts March 1st

Spring back yard burning opens March 1st through June 15th. Remember to call the burn Number, when you are ready to burn, at 503.992.3242 . Oregon DEQ regulates the burning based on air quality considerations and notifies the fire department daily to find out if burning is allowed or not. Fires should stay within the burn times that are recorded on the burn message.


To stay safe, keep the fires small and have an established fire break around your pile. A fire break is a cleared dirt area that is as wide as the pile is tall. This fire break should be completely around your burn pile, never burn close to homes, fences, sheds or brush. Keep tools on hand and a water hose or other water source nearby incase the fire gets to hot or out of control. You can always call 911 if the fire does get out of control and you need some help. Never leave the fire unattended. It’s only legal to burn yard debris, remember not to put any garbage, furniture or other things you are trying to get rid of on the fire. Also remember for rural residents agricultural burning is for farm or nursery debris only.

There are some alternatives to burning that can make you more friendly with neighbors and decrease complaints such as curbside yard debris pick up. There are also composting solutions available either commercially or by simply making a area of your yard available for composting or spreading the leaves and grass in your garden or flower beds.

Again call 503.992.3242 if you are going to burn as the messages changes daily based on DEQ regulations.






Thursday, February 21, 2013

This morning (February 21, 2013) at around 5:30, Forest Grove and Cornelius Firefighters responded to a house fire at Rose Grove Mobile Home Park at 3839 Pacific Avenue. The fire cause significant damage to a small area in the ceiling near a wood stove pipe. Everyone in the house was able to make it out and no one on scene was injured. The fire appears to be caused by the stove pipe becoming too hot and being too close to combustible materials in the ceiling and roof area. It is estimated that the stove pipe had been charring the area around the pipe over many days, if not weeks and finally caused the area to ignite into flames.











This is a great reminder that if you have a stove pipe or chimney, that you keep it clean and verify that it is installed correctly. Also always have a smoke alarm in your house near sleeping areas and test it monthly, in this incident a smoke alarm was not in the house to alert the residence.  If you have questions about fire safety in your home please contact us at 503-992-3240, though we don't inspect chimney installations we would gladly help you with other home fire safety questions.