Moscow Fire Department Announces 2017 Burning Season

The City of Moscow Volunteer Fire Department Officials have announced the 2017 spring burning season to be April 8 through 23.  A spring burning season was adopted by the City Council in order to preserve air quality and good health of citizens, while meeting citizens’ needs to dispose of appropriate yard waste through burning.  The spring open burning season allows for burning of garden waste, tree trimmings and brush only.  It does not include the burning of lots, leaves, grass trimmings or any rubbish containing paper products. 
 
The following conditions outline the appropriate use of the spring burning season:
 

1. Burning shall be at a distance of at least 25 feet from any building, structure or other combustible material when the pile size is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height. Anything larger shall be 50 feet or more from any structure or other combustible material.
2. A garden hose with water supply or other fire extinguishing equipment shall be on hand and a competent person will be at the burn site at all times until the fire has been totally extinguished.
3. Persons who are burning debris must be in legal control of the lot or parcel of land on which the burning is to take place.
4. Burning on public land in prohibited.
5. No waste matter shall be burned which will, in the burning process, produce toxic, dense or offensive odors.
6. Burning is not allowed after dark.
7. Persons who are burning debris are required to ensure that all fires are completely extinguished before leaving the site.
8. No demolition or construction site burning is permitted during this burning period.
9. The spring burning season shall not include the burning of lots, leaves, grass trimmings or any rubbish containing paper products.
10. A written permit is not required for burning appropriate materials during the spring burning season.
11. Persons who do not meet all of the above requirements may be subject to fines as per the City of Moscow Code Title 1, Section 9.
12. Burning will be ordered immediately discontinued if: 
    1. The Fire Chief or his designee on duty determines that smoke emissions are offensive to occupants of surrounding property, or if open burning is determined by the duty officer to constitute a hazardous condition;
    2. The Department of Environmental Quality issues an air quality forecast and caution with a mandatory burn ban. Air quality conditions and burn bans can be obtained by calling 1.855.401.4636 or 208.799.4370.

 
Please call the Moscow Fire Department at 208.882.2831 with any questions or for more information.