Open/barrel burning is prohibited...

-Throughout Jackson County when the Ventilation Index (VI)* is inadequate or when there are fire danger risks (e.g.,high winds).

-Within the Air Quality Maintenance Area during November, December, January and February.

-Within the city limits of Medford, Jacksonville, Phoenix, and Talent.

*The VI is the National Weather Service's indicator of the relative degree of air circulation for a specified area and time period. Basically, it is a measurement of the air's ability to "clean" itself.

NOTE: NO OPEN/BARREL BURNING IS ALLOWED IN JACKSON COUNTY DURING FIRE SEASON.

Burning of the following are prohibited:

Wet garbage, plastic, wire insulation, automobile parts, asphalt, petroleum products or treated materials, rubber, asbestos, animal remains, animal or vegetable matter resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking or service of food, any material which emits dense smoke or noxious odors.

Steps to Successful Open/Barrel Burning

1. Determine if you live inside or ouside the The Air Quality Maintenance Area (AQMA). The AQMA boundary is the same as the Department of Environmental Quality's Inspection and Maintenance Boundary (I&M Boundary). If you have to take your vehicle to the I&M Station, you're in the AQMA. Call the Air Quality Program at 774-8207 if you don't know whether you're in or out and we'll find out for you. Click here for a map of the AQMA (961KB may take several minutes to download).

2. Contact the appropriate Fire Protection Agency to obtain a burn permit. Follow permit requirements. If you don't know which fire district you live in, click here for a map of fire districts (1,201 KB may take a several minutes to download).

3. If you are inside a city, call the appropriate city number.

4. Call the open/barrel burn advisory at 776-7007 to hear the daily burn status.