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Outdoor Burning within KCFD #28. HISTORY. The Enumclaw Fire Department used to issue land clearing permits. These were issued at Headquarters. The applicants were typically excavating companies.
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HISTORY • The Enumclaw Fire Department used to issue land clearing permits. • These were issued at Headquarters. • The applicants were typically excavating companies. • The purpose was to clear land for a residence. In some cases they were issued to make way for a pasture. Such as at approximately at SE 384 and 303rd Ave SE. • The on duty crew would inspect the permit location to insure no fire safety conditions were violated. • Pile sizes were limited to 10’ in diameter and 10’ in height. • No dimensional restrictions for debris diameter. • Land clearing permits cost fifty dollars • Permits were valid for a 14 day period. • Permits could be extended for a burn ban that occurred during the 14 day period • Effective July 1st 2008 land clearing permits were banned in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties by PSCAA
RESIDENTIAL BURNING PERMITS • Issued to home or property owners outside of the U.G.A.(Urban Growth Area) after July 1st 2008. • These were issued at no cost. • These were verbal permits issued via telephone or issued in person at headquarters station. • The permit holder was given verbal instructions of the regulations. • No inspection done by the on duty crew of the burn site. • A list was maintained at dispatch of the locations where burns were occurring. • Pile dimensions were limited to 10’ in diameter and 4’ in height.
RESIDENTIAL BURNING PERMITS (continued) • Effective January 1st 2010 residential burn permits were issued in written form for a fee of 30 dollars (senior discount 15 dollars). • The fee was initiated in order recoup some of the fuel costs for smoke investigations and burn complaints. • The permit is valid for one year from the date it is issued.
PROCESS • All citizens who wish to burn natural vegetation in the U.G.A. are required to obtain a written permit. • Permits can be obtained at Station 1. • Permits are also located in forms clip board in E-2805. • The citizen fills out the permit and agrees to follow all (12) conditions listed on the permit. • The citizens pays for the permit (check only no cash). • The permit is issued. • The permit holder and The Fire Department will both have copies of the permit. • The permit holder is required to keep a copy of the permit onsite at all times. • Permit address list is maintained by office staff. • The list is located on the form clip board in E-2805
PROCESS (CONTINUED) • A Residential Burning information line was established by the Fire Chief in July 2011. • The Shift Captain (or Acting Captain) is required to update the information line daily by no later than 9am. • The day will be designated either “Burn day” or a “No Burn day”. • This is a judgment call made by the Captain (or Acting Captain) based upon existing or expected weather conditions. • The permit holder is required to call the burn information line prior to burning daily (July 2011).
“BURN DAY” vs.“NO BURN DAY” • The Fire Chief issued a memo via email which provides guidance for making the determination.
Outdoor Burning Memo • At, or near, 08:00 every day either the Shift Captain (Acting Captain) or designee shall look on-line to determine the weather forecast for the day 2. Once the forecast is determined the designated person is to access the “Hotline” and state, “ Good morning you have reached the King County Fire District #28 Outdoor Burning Information Line; based on expected weather forecast for today, burning is(or, is not) allowed in the fire district. Repeat, burning is (is not) allowed in Fire District #28 today; thank you.”
FACTORS TO CONSIDER(Chiefs Memo dated June 24, 2011) Factors to assist in determining whether conditions allow/disallow burning are: • Forecast Rain – when and how much; if no rain is there a low cloud ceiling w/heavy moisture that will keep smoke from lifting? • How long since the last significant rain; are burn piles going to be wet and smokey? • Expected wind conditions – rule of thumb is 5 to 15 mph, enough to carry smoke away but not enough to create a wind hazard ? • Are there any Burn Bans in place?
REGULATIONS • Natural vegetation only (no processed lumber) • While burning someone capable of extinguishing the burn pile will be in attendance at all times. • A water source is required to be present on site at all times. • Burning is allowed only during daylight hours. (fire does not have to be extinguished, just no more fuel is to added to the pile) • One pile of vegetation is to be allowed to be burned at a time. • The maximum pile size is 10’ in diameter by 4’ in height. • Fires are required to be located 10’ away from property lines. • The pile is required to be located at least 50’ away from structures. • Fires are required to be extinguished if there is a storm that results in east winds. • The permit holder agrees to extinguish their burn pile when the fire department determines that smoke from the fire is bothersome to neighbors, damages property, or is causing a nuisance. • Burning wet or green storm debris is prohibited. • A copy of the permit is required to be on site at all times.
IMPORTANT • Permits are valid for one year from the date it was issued. • Permit can be suspended if the conditions are violated • Burning Processed lumber is prohibited (PSCAA) • Burn barrels are prohibited (PSCCA) • Burning stumps are prohibited (PSCAA) • Burning trees and limbs larger than 4” in diameter are prohibited (PSCAA) • No outdoor fire may contain material (other than firewood) that has been hauled from an area where burning the material is prohibited.
Recreational Fires • Defined: “Cooking fires, campfires, and bonfires that occur in designated areas or on private property for cooking, pleasure, or ceremonial purposes”. • Allowed per the IFC (WAC 51-54) • No permit is required • Must follow conditions set forth in IFC section 307 and WAC 173-425 • Constructed of steel, masonry. stone or concrete material. • The bottom may be of steel, sand, gravel, or mineral earth. • Does not require a spark arrestor. • Maximum fuel size is 3x3x2. • Can only burn dried cord wood, presto logs, or charcoal. • Required to be located 25’ from any structure, including decks or any other combustible material. • Constant attendance is required. • An Extinguisher equal to a 4-A rating is required to be onsite. Dirt, sand, water barrel or garden hose are an approved alternative to a 4-A extinguisher.
PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACES • Same requirements as recreational fire pits with the following exceptions; • Required to be located 15’ away from combustible material • Must be used according to the manufactures recommendations.
REMEMBER • Some situations are not always clear cut. • You will have to rely upon your best judgment. • It is not our job to act as a referee during a dispute amongst neighbors. • Even if a citizen is operating outside of the outdoor burning regulations it is important to be Kind, Courteous and Professional. This may be the only interaction they ever have with a representative of the Enumclaw fire department. Do your best to make it a positive experience.
