Wildfire Information - Disposal and Erosion

Hazardous Waste Removal Information

"Cleanup from the recent wildfires and wind damage is set to begin in eight Oregon counties as county officials, Oregon’s Debris Management Task Force, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have finalized plans to remove and dispose of hazardous materials from burned properties—free of charge to property owners. Removal of household hazardous waste and fire debris is required before property owners can rebuild from the fires." 

Please click the link below to fill out the Right of Entry form. For more information, visit the State of Oregon's wildfire website. Please call (503) 365-3140 if you have questions about right of entry.

​Right of Entry Form​

Disposal of ash and fire-damaged material

• Ash and fire debris can be disposed of at Coffin Butte Landfill. Please see their website for more information.  You MUST call ahead for preparation instructions. Contact information is provided on their website.
• Household garbage and materials that are still intact can be disposed at normal locations. This includes smoke-damaged (but not burned) materials. For disposal information, visit our disposal page.
• Ash cannot be disposed of at any of the county transfer stations or the demolition landfill.  Ash contains unknown materials that could contain hazardous substances such as asbestos or heavy metals.  Moving this material can cause it to become airborne and therefore hazardous to human health. 

We will continue to update this page as more information becomes available. 

If you have questions, please contact us at (503) 588-5169 or by email at environmentalservices@co.marion.or.us

Handling of ash and fire debris

If you have fire debris to clean up/dispose of, there is important information you need to know. Please visit the DEQ's website 

• Manejo seguro de las cenizas y los escombros de los edificios quemados en español.
  

Protection from erosion

Wildfire damage reduces the ability of the land to absorb water. Additionally, the loss of plants causes the soil to easily be eroded and washed away since the root structures that hold the soil may be damaged or gone. This leads to increased potential for flash flooding, landslides, and soil loss.

Increases in erosion and runoff result in greater amounts of sediment and other pollutants being washed into streams, thus lowering water quality.

Controlling erosion in the aftermath of a wildfire is important for recovery of the watershed. Not only will it protect wildlife such as salmon, but the City of Salem Water supply can also be affected, potentially increasing costs for the treatment of drinking water.