To burn or not to burn?

Falcon Fire Protection District personnel are often asked about open burning. Is it legal to burn trash? (no) Is a permit required to burn slash piles? (yes) How does one apply for a burn permit? (read on)Open burning in unincorporated areas of El Paso County falls under state and county regulations and ordinances. Fire districts may enact additional policies in the interest of public safety. Any use of open flame is also subject to fire restrictions enacted by the county during periods of high fire danger.Burning without a permit or burning prohibited materials can lead to costly civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day from the state. Additionally, anyone who conducts any type of open burn that causes damage to someone elseís property, whether or not a permit has been obtained, may be held liable for costs and could face criminal charges.Here is a brief overview of what can and cannot be burned, what types of burn require a permit and how to go about getting one. For complete details, refer to the FFPD website (http://falconfirepd.org) and click the ìOpen Burning Infoî button.TrashBurning trash in El Paso County is prohibited under state and county air quality and open burning regulations. Plastics, synthetic materials, rubber, chemicals, etc., all emit harmful toxins when burned. The term ìtrashî includes but is not limited to the following:

• Household waste or garbage
• Paper, plastic, tires or chemicals
• Cut lumber, pallets or treated wood
• Construction or demolition debris The use of burn barrels is prohibited for burning of any kind, whether the materials are natural or man-made.

Slash and other vegetationA burn permit is required for open burning of dry natural vegetative matter such as slash, leaves, grass and weeds that has been configured into piles. The term ìslashî refers to branches and sticks less than 6 inches in diameter, but does not include tree stumps or roots.Open burning is not permitted:

• During Red Flag Warnings or Stage I or Stage II fire restrictions
• When actual or predicted winds are 10 mph or greater
• At elevations above 7,000 feet, unless 3 inches or more of snow is on the ground

Other open burning requirements:

• Slash piles may be up to 8 feet wide and 8 feet long, but no more than 4 feet high.
• Open burns must be conducted at least 50 feet from structures and other combustibles such as fencing or vegetation.
• A competent person must constantly attend and observe the open burn.
• A source of water (such as a garden hose) or other extinguishing equipment must be available and ready for immediate use.
• Ignition of materials shall occur between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This also includes adding more material to an existing fire.
• All fires must be completely extinguished no later than sunset.
• The fire department must be notified each day the burn is occurring (see below).

Recreational firesRecreational fires such as campfires, non-commercial cooking fires and residential fire pits do not require a burn permit.Fires must be less than 3 feet in diameter, and less than 2 feet high. A courtesy call to the El Paso Sheriffís Office dispatch center (719-390-5555) is requested so the fire department can be notified that the fire is taking place.Agricultural burnsAgricultural burns are allowed without a permit, but only if the burn is being conducted to prepare land for the planting of commercial crops. The burning of fields or ditches to rid them of weeds is not considered agricultural use.How to obtain an open burning permitThe process to obtain an open burning permit begins by applying for an air quality open burning permit from El Paso County Public Health. Approved permits are then forwarded to the El Paso County Fire Marshal for review. Final approval must be obtained from the fire department or district having jurisdiction over the site where the burn will take place.Each day of the burn, the permit holder shall notify El Paso County Public Health, the appropriate fire department or district, the El Paso County Sheriffís Office and all adjacent landowners, including those separated by a road or right of way.Full information on the permit process can be found on the El Paso County Public Health website: http://elpasocountyhealth. org/service/air-quality/open-burn-application.Applications for open burning permits may be completed online at that website or printed and mailed to the EPCPH offices. Call 719-578-3199 for any questions. There is no charge for burn permits.Alternatives to open burningWhen possible, residents are encouraged to use alternatives to open burning such as reusing or recycling materials; or disposing them at an approved landfill.Tree branches less than 8 inches in diameter and shorter than 6 feet may be taken to the Black Forest Slash Mulch Site located on the east side of Herring Road, just south of Shoup Road. The site does not accept tree stumps or roots, grass/hay, weeds, garden debris or lumber. For more information and hours of operation, visit http://bfslash.org or call 719-520-7878.The El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste facility at 3255 Akers Drive (west of Marksheffel Road between Constitution Avenue and N. Carefree Circle) accepts many items such as paper, plastics, paint, household chemicals, medical waste and some electronics. Call 719520-7871 for more information. For a full list of accepted items, visit: http://adm. elpasoco.com/Environmental%20Division/ Household%20Hazardous%20Waste/Pages/ default.aspxMore information on open burning:

• Colorado Air Quality Control Commission Regulation Number 9: Open Burning, Prescribed Fire, and Permitting: https://colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/5-CCR-1001-11.pdf
• El Paso County Ordinance No. 15-001: El Paso County Open Fire and Open Burning Restriction Ordinance: http:// car.elpasoco.com/clerktotheboard/ Documents/15-001%20Open%20 Burning.pdf
• State of Colorado Open Burning Fact Sheet: https://colorado.gov/pacific/ sites/default/files/AP_OB_OpenBurning-Fact-Sheet.pdf
• Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 25, Article 7: Air Quality Control: https:// colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Title25.pdf