UTFD to Lift Prescribed, Agricultural Burn Bans on Umatilla Indian Reservation

MISSION – On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department (UTFD) will lift its ban on prescribed and agricultural burns managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Range, Agriculture and Forestry program and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Wildland Fire program. 

However, UTFD Chief James Hall said the residential burn ban would remain in effect on the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR).

“This includes burning trash in barrels and yard debris,” Hall said. “The use of fireworks, exploding targets and tracers is still prohibited during the burn ban as well. The burn ban will remain in effect until the end of the fire season. With the fall weather forecast, including predicted rains and higher relative humidity, open burning is expected to be permitted within the next few weeks.”

Sweathouses and ceremonial fires are exempt from the open burn ban. However, to monitor these activities, a verbal burn permit must be obtained from the Umatilla Tribal Dispatch at 541-278-0550, pending verbal approval from the UTFD. For information regarding burn permits, call the Office of Air Quality at 541- 429-7080.

BIA officials said the agency would conduct a controlled burn on acquired property and UIR lands east of Indian Lake beginning Oct. 1 until the evening of Oct. 3. Officials said the burn would start with a controlled line burn along the ridge line and canyon’s edge of Johnson Creek. After the control line is in place, approximately 600 acres would be burned.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is comprised of the Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla Tribes, and formed under the Treaty of 1855 at the Walla Walla Valley, 12 Stat. 945. In 1949, the Tribes adopted a constitutional form of government to protect, preserve and enhance the reserved treaty rights guaranteed under federal law.