BURNING

IS A BIG

DECISION
www.storywyoming.org

Burning dead vegetation can be very hazardous, if done incorrectly. Consequences can be the loss of life and property.

Each year more and more wildfires destroy homes and cause fatalities. This problem will continue as long as people live in rural settings.

An escaped debris burn can result in a devastating fire, so it is very important to think of the consequences before striking a match.

If your fire escapes, keep in mind that you will be liable for fire suppression costs and any damages suffered by your neighbors.

 Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality- Air Quality Division

has revised Wyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations

 WAQSR, Chapter 10, Section 2, Open burning restrictions was modified in part and became effective on May 14, 2004.These regulations state, in part, the following:

(also check the Standards and Regulations portion of http://deq.state.wy.us/aqd/index.asp)

Definitions

“Open burning” shall mean a fire where any material is burned in the open or in a receptacle other than a furnace, incinerator, or other equipment connected to a stack or chimney. Open burning does not include burns for recreational purposes, cooking of food, providing warmth for human beings, branding of animals, handheld fire extinguisher training and other similarly insignificant burning activities.

“Refuse” means any waste material including garbage that is generated at dwelling units, farmsteads, or ranch headquarters.

“Vegetative material” means untreated unprocessed wood, including but not limited to, trees, tree stumps, tree limbs, bark, chips, duff, grass, grass clippings, leaves, conifer needles, bushes, shrubs, weeds ,clippings from bushes and shrubs, and agricultural plant residue.

Restrictions on refuse burning

No person shall dispose of refuse by open burning, or cause, suffer, allow or permit open burning of refuse, except open burning of refuse associated with dwelling units, farmsteads, or ranch headquarters generated on those same premised, when all of the following requirements are met.

            (i) The nearest population is at least 500 feet away from the refuse burn.

            (ii) The refuse burn is conducted during the daytime hours.

            (iii) The person conducting the open burn shall attend and observe the effuse burn periodically to determine the dispersion, direction , and impacts of the smoke.

Restrictions on vegetative material open burning.

Open burning of vegetative material under this Subsection may be conduced provided that burning does not exceed 0.25 tons of PM10 emissions per day (1250 Cubic Feet). Open burning of vegetative material under this Subsection shall meet all of the following requirements:

            (A) Prior to the ignition of an open burn, the person or organization conducting the open burn shall communicate burn information to the public by notifying the jurisdictional fire authority responsible for the geographic area in which the open burn is to occur.

            (B) The person or organization conducting the open burn shall attend and observe the open burn periodically to determine the dispersion, direction, and impacts of the smoke.

            (C) The open burn shall only be conducted at least 500 feet from a population, unless a waiver of this requirement has been granted by the Administrator of the Division.

PROPER BURNING BASICS:

1. Put dry debris in small piles so the fire will be hot, yet manageable. Wet or dirt covered materials will cause fires to smolder and emit more smoke.

2. Build piles in openings away from overhead branches and wires.

3. Scrape away debris and any other burnable materials several feet around the piles to be burned. The result should be bare soil around each pile.

4. Keep plenty of water and tools ready in case of unexpected changes in the fire.

5. Light the fire when you have an update on safe weather and safe burning conditions.

6. Stay with your fire until it is out. Hidden embers thought to be out have ignited many expensive fires.

7. Burn only natural vegetation and woody materials. Burning of refuse is discouraged in Story because of close proximity most of us have to our neighbors. If you must burn refuse remove prohibited materials before the burn.