Open Burning Permits are issued for the control of the release of air pollutants. They are not permits for violating local ordinances or fire codes.
ABOUT:
Open burning creates massive air pollution that rapidly spreads with winds and weather fronts. Open burning causes the release of cancer causing gases, ozone forming materials, and substances that can degrade health and cause sickness and death. People in Weld county have been killed by the flames, smoke and heat from open burning of weeds and trash.
Open Burning Permits are required in Weld County to burn anything other than household trash paper, cardboard, untreated wood, and agriculturally exempt materials.
OPEN BURNING PERMITS MAY BE ISSUED FOR:
- Burning tree limbs, branches, weeds.
- Burning associated with open air human cremations, clean natural fiber cloth.
- Ceremonial events or bonfires for athletic events and rallies.
- Training and educational events involving fires, extinguishing fires, and fire safety.
OPEN BURNING PERMITS WILL NOT BE ISSUED FOR:
- Plastics, tires, plastic tarps, electric wiring, plumbing materials, plastic irrigation pipe and ducts.
- Vehicles, trailers, mobile homes, campers, tents, or parts from these items.
- Houses, barns, animal shelters, sheds, buildings, lean-to's, garages.
- Chemicals of any kind: paint, fuels, polyurethane, thinners, solvents.
- Furniture, coated wood, manufactured wood (laminates, plywood, particle board).
- Electric wiring, boxes, electronic equipment, or anything with a circuit board.
- Green lumber, leaves, recently cut limbs and logs.
- Any compostable plant material.
- Manure, urine-soaked materials, animals droppings, corral bedding.
- Deceased animals and animal parts, offal.
- Commercially-derived materials (wastes from business entities).
- Burning weeds in agriculturally exempt water conveyance structures (ditches, canals, etc.); See below.
- Open field burning on agriculturally zoned land to control weeds or undesirable plants for the purpose of enhancing crop production or improving lands for animal grazing. See below
Agricultural Open Burning is exempt from permitting by Regulation No. 9 and the Weld County Codes and Regulations. Some local fire districts require the obtainment of an Open Burning Permit from the district for any open burning of on agricultural land. Call the local fire district for requirements. See below for list of phone numbers.
CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR OPEN BURNING WITH A PERMIT
- No burning will be allowed during a period of Air Pollution Emergency or Alert. It is the responsibility of the holder of an Open Burning Permit to know if such an emergency is in effect (e.g. "Red" days).
- The Open Burning Permit must be retained by the person who is conducting the burning. If needed, it will be available, without delay, for examination by an appropriate official upon request.
- The permit holder, or a representative, must remain with the fire while it is burning or hot.
- The permit is valid for two weeks after the date when it was obtained.
- Open burning is only allowed two (2) hours after sunrise and two (2) hours before sunset.
- Open Burning Permits may be canceled if nearby neighbors have indicated that fire or smoke are a nuisance, risk, or health problem for them.
- Open burning will only be allowed when winds are less than 5 mph.
- Equipment such as rakes, shovels, or forks will be available to provide proper amounts of air for optimal combustion and limit smoke emissions.
- Fire fighting equipment, such as extinguishers or hose with water supply, must be near for the control of the unintentional spread of the blaze.
- The holder of the permit is required to notify the appropriate fire district of the intention to burn. This is required each day that open burning will be conducted. "911" is not to be called. An appropriate administration number for the fire district must be called.
