Outdoor Burning

Backyard burning is not allowed in Gresham

• This includes all houses and properties within Gresham city limits.
• If your property is larger than 1 acre, you can apply for an open burn permit. 

Barbecues and grills are allowed in Gresham. Read more about barbecue and grilling safety.

Backyard burning alternatives

• Use Gresham’s yard debris weekly collection program
• Hire a landscaping company for disposal
• Compost yard debris
• Take yard debris to a local green waste facility; find a recycler near you

Recreational fire pits are allowed in Gresham if these safety guidelines are followed:

• Fire pits are for recreational use only.
• You may only burn hardwood or fireplace logs in a fire pit: no garbage, yard or construction debris.
• Fire pits may be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high.
• Fire pits must always be attended.
• You must be able to put out the fire.
• The fire must be 15 feet from flammable material (house, fence, etc.)
• Fires must be put out if wind gusts reach 15 mph.
• If the fire causes too much smoke and complaints are made by neighbors, the fire must be put out.
• Multnomah County may restrict wood burning to protect public health due to forecasted poor air quality. Check multco.us/woodsmokestatus to see the daily burning status.

How to get a permit

Agricultural burn permit applications must be picked up directly from the Fire Department and only if:  

• The farm or business is at least 5 acres in size.
• The business is 51% or more of household income.

Permit regulations

Permits are good for five years if these conditions are strictly followed:

• Permit holder shall call the Burn Line at 503-618-3083 after 8:00 am daily and shall burn only on valid days and during stated hours.
• No standing vegetation shall be burned.
• No vegetation or flammable materials shall be allowed within 25 feet of all burn piles.
• Rubber, tires, plastic, garbage, petroleum or petroleum-treated materials, asphalt or industrial waste, construction materials or any material that creates thick smoke or strong odors shall not be burned.
• Piles shall be held to a maximum pile size of 12 feet diameter by 8 feet height.
• Remove distractions and watch the burn pile at all times. Continue to patrol it for one hour after the fire is put out.
• Fire-extinguishing equipment shall include any of the following:
  • Waste barrels with buckets
  • Sand or dirt with shovels
  • Garden hose minimum ½" in diameter with a maximum of 150 feet length with nozzle turned on and readily available or other adequate water supply such as water barrels or water trucks
  • Fire extinguisher

How to get a permit

If your property is larger than 1 acre, you can apply for an open burn permit. A permit is required to conduct an open burn for any type of land clearing or a large amount natural debris disposal. 

Open burn application

Permit regulations

A site plan must be submitted seven days before the planned burn. 

• The permit holder shall call the East Multnomah County Burn Line at 503-618-3083 after 8:00 am daily and shall burn only during approved days and hours.
• No standing vegetation shall be burned.
• Vegetation or flammable materials within 25 feet of all sides of a burn pile shall be cleared away.
• Rubber, tires, plastic, garbage, petroleum or petroleum-treated materials, asphalt or industrial waste, construction materials or any material that creates thick smoke or strong odors shall not be burned.
• Open burns shall not be done within 50 feet of a structure and measures shall be taken to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet of any structure. (Exception: When piles are 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height, the minimum distances may be 25 feet.)
• Open burn pile shall be limited in size to a maximum of 10 feet in diameter and 6 feet in height in urban areas, and 12 feet in diameter and 8 feet in height in agricultural areas.
• Conditions that could cause the fire to spread to within 50 feet or 25 feet of a structure, as appropriate to the size of burn pile, shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
• Remove distractions and watch the burn pile at all times. Continue to patrol it for one hour after the fire is put out.
• Fire extinguishing equipment shall include any of the following:
  • Garden hose minimum ½" diameter with attached nozzle and maximum length 150 feet, turned on with no leaks and readily available
  • Water barrels with buckets
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Water tender
• All fires shall be put out immediately if:
  • Winds exceed 15 mph
  • Any representative of the Fire Department determines the fire to be a hazard or verifies the conditions of approval are not being met