Free Leaf Drop October 1st through December 31st
With the ban on backyard burning, the City has made some revisions to its annual leaf drop program. The program will now open October 1st instead of at the end of the month, and will last through December. The program will still take place at the front Donald Robertson Park parking lot, adjacent to the Playground. We accept, leaves, twigs, and small branches, 2 inches or less in diameter. Yard debris in compostable paper bags is fine, but please no plastic bags. We also cannot accept trash or other bulky waste items.
Elderly and Disabled Assistance
We’ve also implemented a yard debris pile pickup program for elderly or disabled community members who had relied on backyard burning to dispose of their yard debris. This is not a yard cleanup program, but an opportunity to have a yard debris pile that would have been burned picked up at no charge. Please call City Hall at 503-667-6211 or email City@WoodVillageOR.gov for more information.
Yard Debris Burn Ban in Wood Village
As highlighted in past newsletters, the City was asked by its public safety partners to prohibit backyard burning of yard debris. This practice, which was already limited to ten days in the spring and fall, is not allowed in Gresham, Fairview, or west of 181st. The City was asked to consider this for safety and health reasons. It also makes it easier to identify and stop illegal burning. We had several community members comment on the proposal, and the majority were in favor of the ban. Based on the public health and safety aspects, and the public feedback, the Council did approve the burn ban.
While this ban now prohibits backyard burning of yard debris, it does not prohibit wood or charcoal BBQ’s, smokers, or small-scale recreational fire pits or fire tables. Those are still allowed unless there is a red flag warning or significant fire danger.
The Council also revised the leaf drop program to open earlier, and we now have a yard debris pile pickup assistance program for elderly or disabled community members. You can learn more about those programs in this newsletter. To report illegal or unsafe burning, call 503-823-3333, or 911 in case of a fire emergency.