Agency's hot line lists days to burn.

Byline: Greg Bolt The Register-Guard

To burn or not to burn is a question many people living outside Eugene will begin asking again.

Up until this week, the answer was a flat no. Continued dry weather extended the summer burn ban halfway into October.

But that prohibition now has been lifted from areas that do not ban burning year-round. Everyone living in the Eugene city limits comes under the permanent ban, and open burning is greatly restricted in Springfield.

Outside those areas, the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency determines what days burning is allowed based on weather and pollution levels. Residents must call the LRAPA open burning hot line at 726-3976 before burning to verify that burning is allowed.

Some cities and fire districts also have rules that restrict burning. Florence-area residents within the Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue District must call 997-1757 for daily burning advisories.

People in other areas should call their local fire district to find out if burning is allowed and get the burning regulations.

For those areas where burning is allowed, LRAPA notes that only woody yard debris that comes from the resident's property may be burned. All fires must be out by sunset.

Violation of open burning rules can result in a $500 fine. LRAPA spokeswoman Sally Markos said the agency received almost 300 burning complaints last year and issued a number of citations.

The agency asks that whenever possible people dispose of yard debris by composting, chipping or recycling. Also, yard debris can be dumped for a small charge at several collection spots, including Lane County waste transfer sites at Glenwood, Cottage Grove and Florence, and at the Lane Forest Products and Rexius business locations.

LRAPA advises residents who burn to keep piles covered and dry until they are lit, burn only woody debris, use a chipper whenever possible and burn well within property boundaries away from other homes.

Also, the state Department of Forestry advises people to clear a trail around the burn pile down to mineral soil, keep a shovel and water handy, and to constantly attend the fire until it is completely extinguished.