Helpful Information About Indoor and Outdoor Burning in Klamath Falls

The bulk of the information below pertains to indoor and outdoor burning for those that live in the Air Quality Zone. However, there is information as well for those that live outside the zone.

We've lived in Klamath Falls since 1987. Since that time, there's been a strong effort to clean-up our air quality. The Herald and News, our local newspaper, publishes information on our air quality. Did you know that Klamath Falls has some of the poorest air quality in the state? In 2005, Klamath Falls was seventh out of twenty-seven cities that had fewer than 300 days of good air! In January 2007, Klamath Falls had only six days of good air quality What can you do to help? Well, wood burning accounts for much of the air quality problem. If you have an older wood stove, replace it. If you can't afford to replace your stove, get some help with the expense. The South Central Oregon Economic Development District has $800,000 to replace wood stoves. For more information, visit their web site here.

Want to know if it is OK to burn outside?(also known as open burning)

• Call 882-BURN (2876) or http://www.klamathair.org

  • The 2012 Spring Open Burn has been set
    The Klamath County Environmental Health Department established an open burning window for resident living in the county’s air quality zone. The 2012
    Spring Open Burning Window within the Klamath County Air Quality Zone will start on Saturday, April 21 at 8:00 a.m. and will end Sunday at 5:00 pm May 6, 2012. Open burning is only allowed on “GREEN” days. However, you still need to call the burn advisory number listed above.
    • Those planning to burn should call 882-BURN the morning of the day they plan to burn to have the most up-to-date air quality advisories and ensure burning is allowed that day. It would not be unusual for the Health Department to close the burning window during this week if the air quality is poor!
    • There are specific restrictions for diameter, height, and time allowed for burning. This information is available using the 882-BURN phone number or the web site listed above. Some of these restrictions include:
      • The size of the fire should be no larger than 6 feet in diameter and no taller than 4 feet.
      • You can only burn from 8 AM- 5 PM. Fires should be extinguished by 5PM.
      • You should only burn yard trash. This means pine needles, tree branches, leaves, etc. You can't burn garbage, tires, or plastic.
      • The person conducting any burning is responsible for damage and the cost of an out of control burn as well as traffic problems and other hazards caused by the smoke.
    • Visit the Klamath County Environment Health web site, http://www.co.klamath.or.us/EH/index.html and follow the Air Quality & Burning link for a pdf file with a complete list of prohibited materials.
      • Not sure if you live in the Air Quality Zone? Visit this link: http://www.co.klamath.or.us/EH/AQ_Map_Final_lr.pdf
  • When you call the above number, LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE report!!!!!. They give the wood stove or indoor report and then the information on outside/outdoor/open burning! At the end of the 2012 Spring open burn, your next chance to burn will be in the Fall 2012. Typically there will be an announcement in the newspaper. I will post a note here as well.
  • Read the next section below on wood stove use because it contains additional information about open burning on yellow and red days.
  • If you decide that it just isn't worth the effort to call, or if you think it is OK to burn because you saw someone else burning, your neighbor will probably report you if it isn't OK to burn!! Check the number before you burn and if you see someone in your neighborhood is burning that shouldn't. If so give them the number to call.
  • If education fails, report an offender by calling 911 and giving the operator the name and address of the offender. Typically a fire truck with be dispatched and they will make the neighbor put the fire out. Repeat offenders can be fined from $600-$1000.
  • You also have the option of filling out a complaint. A complaint form can be obtained from the Klamath County Environment Health web site: http://www.co.klamath.or.us/EH/index.html
    • Here is the quick link to download the form: http://www.co.klamath.or.us/EH/Complaints/Complaint form.pdf
    • After downloading and completing the form, you can send it to the Environmental Health Department using one of the email address listed on the site.
      • You need a typewriter program, such as the full version of Adobe Acrobat, to complete this form on your computer using the typewriter tool.
    • If you don't have a typewriter program, print the form and complete it by hand. After completing, snail mail it to the Health Department at:
      • Environmental Health
        403 Pine Street
        Klamath Falls, OR 97601
    • You could also drop it by their office. Hours: M-F; 8-5p.m.
  • The above is the ONLY source for up-to-date information.
  • If you live outside the Air Quality Zone, outdoor burning is allowed except during Yellow or Red advisories. This means anytime during the year when the advisory is Green, you can burn outside.

Want to know if it is OK to use your wood stove?

• Call 882-BURN (2876) or http://www.klamathair.org
• Klamath Falls introduced an advisory schedule based on colors used for traffic lights
  
  
  • Green
    • All fireplaces and wood stoves may be used within the county. Open burning is allowable outside the Air Quality Zone.
    • Not sure if you live in the Air Quality Zone? Visit this link: http://www.co.klamath.or.us/EH/AQ_Map_Final_lr.pdf
  • Yellow
    • Only EPA certified wood stoves and fireplaces may be used within the Air Quality Zone. Open burning is prohibited countywide.
    • Not sure you have an EPA certified wood stove? Visit the Klamath County Environment Health web site: http://www.co.klamath.or.us/EH/index.html The have a link with an extensive list of stoves.
  • Red
    • No wood stoves or fireplaces whether certified or uncertified can be used within the Air Quality Zone. Only EPA certified pellet stoves may be used within the Air Quality Zone. Open burning is prohibited countywide
      
      
• The information in the outdoor/open burn section on reporting an offender also applies here. Ditto for the phone number.
• If you think that your neighbor is not using a certified wood stove or fireplace on the yellow days or a pellet stove on red days, you can contact the Klamath County Environment Health Agency. Typically the offender is sent mailed a notice from the Agency. If the offender calls the agency, they will try to provide information. If the offender ignores the notice, the Agency will send someone out to investigate. Your name will be kept confidential, so you shouldn't worry about retaliation. The investigator will ensure that the neighbor is in compliance. The primary goal is to get the neighbor in compliance through education.
• If your neighbor lives outside the Air Quality Zone, your out of luck! They can burn their inside stove, whatever it is, anytime they want.

How good is the air today?

• Visit the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, DEQ, web site, http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx
• If Klamath Falls isn't listed, check back a little later. They update information frequently. New readings are available at approximately 10 minutes past the hour. Use the "Refresh" or "Reload" buttons in your browser to see the most current values.
• There is a lot of information here. For example, you can learn what constitutes good air and how the DEQ rates air using the Air Quality Index, AQI
• Not sure what the colors mean when checking the air quality? Well there is a good explanation here: http://www.airnow.gov/

Where can I get more information?

• Visit the Klamath County Environment Health web site, http://www.co.klamath.or.us/EH/index.html
• They have an extensive list of pdf's with concise answers to most questions. You can also find contact numbers and email address for officials. I've had a good response to emails, usually within 24 hours during the week. They also have another phone number that was not listed on the site, 883-1122.

Final Note

• I hope you found this information helpful.
• If you need additional assistance with the information on this page, contact me here by email.
• This is an UNOFFICIAL web site!!! I posted this information because it is hard to find! I received no reimbursement from state or local agencies for posting this information. To the best of my knowledge, all the information was accurate.

• Site Map