PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cloverdale Fire District Launches New Burn Permit System
Those burning their yard debris within the Cloverdale Fire District jurisdiction this spring will be utilizing a new online burn-permitting website and app.
Sisters, Oregon, 10/19/2023 -- Cloverdale Fire District, the fire agency serving the greater Sisters, Oregon area announced today a major step forward, ensuring public safety in the community in a partnership with the Western Fire Chiefs Association and it's Outdoor Debris Burn Permitting system, PublicFireSafety.com.
Cloverdale Fire District Fire Chief Thad Olsen said, “We are extremely pleased to offer the community a user-friendly, free, online permitting system enabling users to obtain important information and services online while allowing district staff to track outdoor burns more effectively and disseminate important fire safety information.”
Permits will be obtained online by visiting the district’s website: https://www.cloverdalefire.com/ or using the Public Fire Safety app.
To register for a permit, a resident's name, street address and text messaging phone number are required. Those who do not have Internet access can call 458-281-8612 or visit the public service desk at 67433 Cloverdale Rd, Sisters, Oregon 97759 and use a public-access computer to apply.
This new online system is very user-friendly, but as Cloverdale Fire District staff is aware, new systems can be intimidating. So, Cloverdale Fire District service staff will be available to help residents sign up if necessary.
The Cloverdale Fire District open burn season typically runs from 10/03/2023 to 05/31/2024 each year. As always, safety is of the utmost importance. This new online system allows to see burn locations on a daily basis, immediately notify users of changing conditions, message important fire safety information, ensure that those planning to burn are aware of the rules and regulations, and that the right jurisdiction is being notified of the planned burn.
The process is very simple and can be summed up in one short slogan -- "check in before you burn". Residents are required to maintain accurate emergency contact information and schedule each burn day with the app. It is also critical to "check in" the day of the burn to ensure burning has not since been closed. Open burning can only be conducted with a permit issued by Cloverdale Fire District.
The fire district’s on-duty shift commanders will make a determination before 8 a.m. each day whether burning will be allowed within the district. The burning status (open, closed, info, and warnings) will be posted to your app, the district website (https://www.cloverdalefire.com/) and the publicfiresafety.com portal instantly. If conditions change without warning, Cloverdale Fire District staff are able to respond proactively, sending text messages to all residents that have a burn scheduled that day.
The PFS system is available as an iPhone or android app. The app offers a convenient method for residents to schedule burn days, check conditions, and see alerts at any time -- including a comprehensive local wind and moisture forecast. The PFS app is available now for free in the Apple App Store, and the Google Play Store. In your app store, just search on "Public Fire Safety", get the app, open, sign in and schedule your burn days.
“The app offers an even easier experience than the website” district spokesperson Tom Fast reported. “We are in the process of gathering feedback on the app and welcome questions, comments, or concerns from our residents. We want to make sure the app is easy to use, and really effective for collaborative fire safety.”
Chief Thad Olsen said, “We appreciate residents’ patience during the transition to the new online system, and we are confident that they will find the process far more efficient and user-friendly than methods used in the past.”
For more information about burn permits, visit the Cloverdale Fire District website at https://www.cloverdalefire.com/ or call the administrative offices at 458-281-8612.