Health Department releases November open burning guidelines
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- As November approaches, City officials are reminding residents to follow guidelines for open burning.
Open burning of dry yard waste is allowed within the city limits twice a year, during April and November.
Throughout those months, fires are only allowed between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and must be in an upright container with a volume equal to no more than 55 gallons. A drum-sized container constructed of wire mesh is permissible.
No fire can be 15 feet from any building, and only one burn per container per residence is allowed.
All fires should contain yard-waste only, such as leaves, brush, sticks and logs, and must be monitored closely by a person capable of containing the fire.
Firefighting material, including a garden hose or a container of water, should be at the site of the fire.
As some households prepare for open burning, the St. Joseph Health Department shared that any Fire Department response to open burning calls will be treated as "non-emergency", meaning no lights or sirens, unless the fire is threatening a structure.
Any violation of open burning restrictions may result in a summons to appear in court for a misdemeanor violation, according to the Health Department.
If weather conditions, such as high winds, indicate the safety of the community is endangered or may create a health hazard, the Fire Chief or Health Director may invoke a temporary burning ban.
The Health Department encourages residents to explore alternatives to open burning that don't contribute to air pollution, are not dependent on time restrictions or the weather and provide a healthy benefit for physical activity while doing yard work.
Such activities include: mowing leaves into fine particles to fertilize the lawn or incorporating leaves into a mulch container to decompose into humus for use in vegetable and flower gardens or for use on lawns as soil amendment.
A larger wood brush that can be chipped can also be used as mulch around trees and shrubs.
If residents choose to burn, the Health Department suggests doing so within the open burning period, as the open burning session will not be extended due to weather blackout dates.
