City sets new burn permits

SANDPOINT — As of Saturday, city residents will need to buy a $10 burn permit to get rid of branches and other debris.

However, the new permits will be valid for a month and cover the administrative costs associated with maintaining the permit system, said Sandpoint Fire Chief Robert Tyler.

Residents are allowed, by ordinance to burn paper, boxes, grass, brush, weeds and cuttings from trees lawns or gardens. However, residents must first obtain a burn permit from the city and check with the Department of Environmental Quality air quality advisory hot line to ensure burning is allowed on the day they plan to burn.

Residents wishing to burn can get the permits by going to City Hall, located at 1123 Lake St. Permits are available in either the fire or finance departments.

Contractors and residents may also receive a burn permit when they obtain their building permit in the public works office. However, the burning of construction debris and commercial trade waste by homeowners or contractors is prohibited, Tyler said.

Residents who obtain burn permits are responsible for calling the DEQ air quality advisory hot line at 1 (800) 633-6247 to ensure burning is allowed on the day they wish to burn.

Permits are not needed for cooking or campfires. However, residents must contact the fire department between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. on the day they intend to burn to notify them of their intent to burn. Cooking/campfires must be in a fire ring or UL-approved solid fuel appliance, and may be burned after sundown.

Burning may be done in either a burn barrel or open burning and must follow the appropriate guidelines. In addition, burning must take place during daylight hours only and fire must be extinguished or burned out by dark.

Fires must be attended by a competent, responsible adult at all times and residents must have a hose connected to a water supply that can reach the perimeters of the fire and a shovel readily available.

Items that can be burned include wood products, cardboard, paper, dry pine needles, dry lawn clippings and dry garden waste.

Information: Sandpoint Fire Department, 263-3533