NEWS ABOUT SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE DISTRICTS

Fire danger upgraded to moderate

posted 06/21/02
Due to the warm dry weather, the fire danger has increased to moderate. Outdoor burning of debris piles is still allowed in the morning and evening through June 30. All fires must be out by noon. Residents should be especially careful this time of year. Already, the county fire departments have responded to three burn piles that got away from residents. Residents and landowners may be liable for the cost of fighting escaped fires and any damage caused by the fire. Following this week's prediction of cooler weather and possible rain, the National Weather Service is forecasting a return to hotter and drier than normal weather for the remainder of the month.

Outdoor burning season ends June 30

posted 06/12/02
The 2001-2002 burning season ends June 30. Beginning July 1, outdoor burning of slash piles or residential debris piles will be banned. Only recreational fires will be allowed.

Recreational fires can be no larger than 2 feet across. Fires must be in approved campfire ring or firepit with a 4 foot clearance of dirt, stone or sand around the fire. Residents are urged to keep a garden hose or 5 gallon bucket of water handy whenever they burn.

Permits are required for all fires except recreational fires. Permits for the 2002-2003 burning season will be available from the local fire departments after October 1.

New rules for fire permits

posted 10/18/01
Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Island residents can pick up free permits at their local fire district offices for 4-foot natural vegetation burn piles. The fire districts began issuing permits after the state Department of Natural Resources stopped.

The free permits issued by San Juan Fire District No. 3 expire June 30, 2002. The district will also issue permits for fires related to land clearing. Those permits cost $100 are good for 30 days and a site inspection is necessary.

Friday Harbor residents can obtain permits at Town Hall.

Orcas Island Fire District's free permits are good for one year from the date of issue. They also have a $100 permit for a 10-foot in diameter residential fire. That permit is good for 30 days and requires a site visit. A third type of permit for land clearing costs $100, is good for two weeks and requires a site visit.

Lopez Island Fire District is only issuing the free permits at this time. The district commissioners will discuss other permits at their next meeting.

None of the districts are issuing permits for burns on outer islands.

Agricultural burns need permits from the state Department of Ecology. Silva-cultural burns need permits from the state Department of Natural Resources.

Fire officials stressed that no burning is allowed during burn bans which usually fun July 1 through Sept. 30. Before igniting a burn pile, permit holders should call the sheriff's dispatchers at 360.378.4151 to inform them of the planned burn. Then when the neighbors call to report smoke, the dispatchers are aware of the burn.

Lack of permitting process could limit burning

posted 04/20/01
As of July 1, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will no longer issue burn permits. The state is ready to pass the torch, but no one knows who should take the hand off. If no other method of issuing permits is developed, county residents could be limited to Department of Ecology rules -- burn piles on only two weekends a year.

Currently residents can go to their local fire district and purchase a permit. The permit allows them to burn debris in a pile not larger than four feet in diameter. There are limitations to what can be burned and when the burning can take place. The permits are issued by the fire departments on behalf of the DNR. Even with the new rules, DNR is still responsible for timber-related burn permits.

The Board of County Commissioners discussed during their April 17 meeting what role if any county government should take in issuing burn permits. Commissioner John Evans would like to see the county take the lead in coordinating a program which would be run by the various fire departments. Fees would cover the costs. "We ought to be able to do it," he said. "It doesn't seem complicated to me."

County Permit Coordinator Grant Beck disagreed, "I have a hard time seeing the county take the lead in this issue. There are huge enforcement issues we don't want to get into." He suggested the fire chiefs take the lead in finding a solution to the problem.

Commissioner Rhea Miller said the enforcement end would be a nightmare and called the unfunded mandate "another sign of disintegration."

Commissioner Darcie Nielsen noted the need to find a balance to protect citizens while not letting the state off the hook. "We need to hold the state's feet to the fire -- burn pile," she said.

The BOCC will ask the fire chiefs to prepare a comprehensive proposal and the matter will be discussed again.

Beck said there is still time to change the state's mind.

SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT NO. 3 PRESS RELEASE

Future of Outdoor Burning in Question

posted 04/20/01
Changes in state law may end some kinds of fires in San Juan County. The new rules go into effect on July 1, but it is still uncertain what will happen to outdoor burning in San Juan County. Because of the changes, the local fire departments have decided to shut down burning from July 1 to September 30. Typically fires are not allowed during the summer anyway because of forest fire danger.

In the past, most outdoor burning has been controlled by the local fire departments and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Last year, changes in the Washington Administrative code took much of that control out of DNR.s hands and gave it to the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE). Now, administration of the new laws is in question.

Some changes in the rules took effect last year. The rules outlawed the use of burn barrels and the burning of lumber and construction debris. In addition, all outdoor burning ended in certain urban areas.

The new rules move the responsibility for issuing some types of burn permits from DNR to DOE. The Department of Natural Resources has contracted with local fire districts to issue those permits on their behalf. It is unclear whether DOE will consider a similar arrangement.

The permits in question are for land clearing operations. Any burn pile which contains stumps is considered a "land clearing" burn. The majority of all large burn piles in San Juan County fall into this category. Unfortunately, while the law changes the rules, it does not clearly give any one agency full authority over burn permits.

To make the issue even more confusing, there are now at least five different types of outdoor fires.

• Recreational fires can be up to 3 feet across and 2 feet high and do not require a permit. Recreational fires are permitted anytime, except during burn bans.
• Residential debris disposal fires require a permit. In the past, local fire departments have issued the permits. It is unclear whether DOE or local fire departments will issue the permits in the future. Only vegetation may be burned, in pile no larger than 4 feet by 4 feet.
• Land clearing fires require a permit. The rules are set by DOE, but no decision has been reached over who will issue the permits.
• Silvacultural fires are fires used to maintain forest health or to burn logging slash when the land is not being cleared for development. DNR will continue to issue permits for silvacultural fires through the local fire departments.
• Agricultural fires are also controlled by DOE. Permits are required for agricultural fires.

It is possible that land clearing and residential fires may be completely banned under the new rules. Burning is not allowed wherever there is a reasonable alternative to burning. The determination of whether such an alternative exists and is reasonable is made by DOE. To date, DOE has not made that determination for San Juan County.