With cool wet weather in the forecast, Wasco County fire districts and the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District will lift the seasonal burn ban on Saturday. This will allow for burning in barrels and of small debris piles. Larger slash pile burning is not included in this lifting of the ban. Escaped debris burns remain a leading cause of destructive fires on private and public lands. ODF Fire Managers and Wasco County Fire Chiefs remind residents that they need to read the burn permit issued to them to ensure that burning is allowed on a given day, and to follow all instructions after obtaining any necessary permits. Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, through grant funding from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office, is funding free yard debris disposal at The Dalles Disposal Transfer Station for residents of the district on the next five Saturdays. Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Bob Palmer is encouraging residents to choose this option rather than burning, adding it only takes a little wind and an ember to start a catastrophic fire regardless moderated weather conditions.