Open Burning

Open burning authorization is described in Idaho Code 38-115 and the Idaho Fire Code, Section 307.

A permit is issued under the conditions and rules described on this web page.

Burning shall be conducted within the guidelines of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the rules of the Timberlake Fire Protection District (TFPD).

Permits for open fires within the TFPD are required all year

Permit must be on site accessible by the permittee while burning

OPEN BURNING RULES

Per the 2006 Idaho Fire Code, Section 307.2, a Timberlake Fire Protection District (TFPD) burn permit must be obtained prior to conducting any open burn. The only exception is recreational, cooking, or warming fires that are no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high. Burn permits are good for the calendar year in which they are issued; all permits expire on December 31 of each year.

TFPD personnel can issue burn permits for yard debris (one pile of debris 4 feet high by 10 feet in diameter burned at a time) without an on-site inspection. Burning of larger piles or multiple 4 feet by 10 feet piles may require an on-site inspection which may include an inspection fee of $50.

AIR QUALITY CHECK – Each day before you burn, you must call the Idaho DEQ Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-633-6247.

MONITOR THE FIRE – You must be on site while the fire is burning. It is illegal to leave a fire unattended. If the TFPD responds to your fire and it is unattended, your burn permit will be revoked, the fire must be extinguished, and you will be charged for the cost to extinguish your fire.

COMPLETELY EXTINGUISH THE FIRE – The fire must be completely out before you leave the site. Remember that you are responsible for any fire that you start until it is COMPLETELY out.

FIRE BREAKS – You must have an area 10 feet wide around the fire that is cleared down to mineral soil. No burning within 50 feet of any structure or forested area.

WIND & FIRE DANGER – Check the fire danger each day before you burn. Do not burn during windy conditions. You are responsible if your fire escapes your burn area. Wind speeds cannot exceed:

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10 mph during LOW or MODERATE fire danger

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5 mph during HIGH or VERY HIGH fire danger

Idaho Department of Lands Phone Numbers:

Kootenai Co. 769-1577 / Bonner Co. 263-5104

Inportant Rules:

Burning is only allowed by the property owner, legal occupant, and/or individuals expressly authorized by the property owner

No burning during EXTREME fire danger and no burning during a Burn Ban

Burn only during daylight hours. No adding to or igniting fires after dusk

Burn barrels require a burning permit

Burn only clean untreated wood, clean paper products, and vegetation. Recycling and composting of materials is strongly encouraged. Burning should be your last alternative.

DO NOT burn hazardous materials, plastic, garbage, asphalt, treated or painted wood, rubber, flammable liquids, solvents, tires, building materials, oily substances, or any other material described as hazardous by the Idaho DEQ

Burning of construction materials is prohibited per IDAPA 58.01.01.600-617

Burning of materials that produce black smoke is prohibited

Fires that emit smoke which reduces visibility on fire apparatus access roads is prohibited

Fires that emit smoke which creates health concerns is prohibited

Camp fires in a fire ring less than 3 feet in diameter do not require a permit

No burning on July 4

Before burning, you must have basic equipment on site including the following:

Water supply to contain the fire or garden hose capable of reaching entire perimeter of the fire

A minimum of one (1) adult person to monitor fire until it is completely out

Rake and Shovel

Phone or method to immediately report the fire if it gets out of control

Tips for a Successful Burn - Keep pile free of dirt for a complete burn. Start fire small and feed it as it burns down. Be aware of how topography (slope) will affect the fire's behavior. Check weather forecast, air quality, and fire danger level before burning. Follow all open burning rules.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a misdemeanor citation, being charged for extinguishments cost, and/or a revocation of your burn permit.

2006 Idaho Fire Code – Related Sections on Open Burning

IFC 302.1 Definitions

BONFIRE. An outdoor fire utilized for ceremonial purposes.

OPEN BURNING. The burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. Open burning does not include road flares, smudgepots and similar devices associated with safety or occupational uses typically considered open flames or recreational fires. For the purpose of this definition, a chamber shall be regarded as enclosed when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts, stacks, flues or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air and permit the escape of exhaust gas are open.

RECREATIONAL FIRE. An outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbeque grill or barbeque pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.

IFC SECTION 307 - OPEN BURNING AND RECREATIONAL FIRES

307.1 General. A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless conducted and approved in accordance with this section.

307.1.1 Prohibited open burning. Open burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited.

307.2 Permit required. A permit shall be obtained from the fire code official in accordance with Section 105.6 prior to kindling a fire for recognized silvicultural or range or wildlife management practices, prevention or control of disease or pests, or a bonfire. Application for such approval shall only be presented by and permits issued to the owner of the land upon which the fire is to be kindled.

307.2.1 Authorization. Where required by state or local law or regulations, open burning shall only be permitted with prior approval from the state or local air and water quality management authority, provided that all conditions specified in the authorization are followed.

307.3 Extinguishment authority. The fire code official is authorized to order the extinguishment by the permit holder, another person responsible or the fire department of open burning that creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.

307.4 Location. The location for open burning shall not be less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of any structure.

Exceptions:

1. Fires in approved containers that are not less than 15 feet (4572 mm) from a structure.

2. The minimum required distance from a structure shall be 25 feet (7620 mm) where the pile size is 3 feet (914 mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in height.

307.4.1 Bonfires. A bonfire shall not be conducted within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained in a barbecue pit. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.

307.4.2 Recreational fires. Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.

307.5 Attendance. Open burning, bonfires or recreational fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. A minimum of one portable fire extinguisher complying with Section 906 with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate utilization.