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Today’s Burn Status - 


Please choose to Skip the Fire and Love Your Lungs. While there are no restrictions today, to protect your health, we recommend you voluntarily skip any unnecessary fires. Smoke from fires can affect you and your neighbors in various ways.

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Updates are posted by 11am each day and are effective starting at noon. Last update: March 18, 2024; 10:11 a.m.

 

Multnomah County has a Wood Burning Curtailment Ordinance

Burning wood is one of the biggest sources of harmful air pollution in Multnomah County. Multnomah County may issue wood burning restrictions on poor air quality days. 

En Español: Restricciones de Quema de Madera

How the Wood Burning Ordinance Works

Homeowners, renters and businesses in Multnomah County cannot burn wood when the air quality is forecasted to be poor. On poor air quality days, people may not use:

  • Wood/pellet stoves
  • Fireplaces
  • Outdoor fire pits
  • Chimineas

There are exceptions for those who must use wood to heat their homes, those with limited income, and during emergencies such as a power outage. Households with an exception should apply for an exemption each year. 

Wood smoke restrictions are common in other communities around Oregon. The restrictions are designed to protect public health and keep our region in compliance with national air quality standards. 

If You Must Burn Wood 

Check air quality conditions and burn advisory status every time before you burn. Red means “stop.” Yellow means "limit". 

If poor air quality is expected, Multnomah County will issue a burn restriction (red) day.  Advisories and restrictions take effect by noon the same day. Watch for messages on this page, social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Nextdoor) and local news media.

Sign up to receive burn restriction alerts via email» or Text START to (503) 994-2876 for text message alerts. 

You Can Still Use Your Grill

The ordinance does not apply to cooking food. Charcoal grills, smokers or wood fired ovens are ok.

Wood Smoke Complaints

Call 503-988-0035 or fill out an online complaint to report a violation on a wood-burning restriction (red) day. We will work to respond within 1-2 business days.

Burning Yard Debris and Warm Weather Fires

Backyard burning is NEVER permitted inside the Burn Ban Boundary. The Burn Ban Boundary includes parts of Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington County.

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regulates outdoor/open burning (see DEQ's definitions of burning). For the areas outside of the burn boundary, cities and local fire districts have their own restrictions on open burning. 

Information on outdoor burn status outside of the burn ban area in Multnomah County: 

Check Air Quality

You should also check with your local fire departments for fire bans during dry/windy weather. 

More Information

Multnomah County Code, Air Quality Regulations, Chapter 21

Multnomah County Air Quality Resolution, NO. 2022-010

Wood Smoke Program Reports

Wood Smoke Quarterly Report: Oct-Dec 2023 (434.09 KB)

Wood Smoke Quarterly Report: Jul-Sep 2023 (1.34 MB)

Wood Smoke Quarterly Report: Apr-Jun 2023 (468.42 KB)

Wood Smoke Quarterly Report: Jan-Mar 2023 (780.45 KB)

Wood Smoke Quarterly Report: Oct-Dec 2022 (582.58 KB)

Wood Smoke Quarterly Report: Jul-Sep 2022 (999.45 KB)

Wood Smoke Quarterly Report: Apr-Jun 2022 (524.68 KB)

Wood Smoke Season Report 2021-2022 (2.15 MB)

Wood Smoke Season Report 2020-2021 (427.46 KB)

Wood Smoke Season Report 2019-2020 (2.42 MB)

Wood Smoke Season Review 2018-2019 (1.5 MB)


Contact Us

Environmental Health Services
847 NE 19th Ave, Suite 350
Portland OR 97232 (MAP)
503-988-0035

woodsmokecomplaints@multco.us