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During the summer
and fall seasons, many homeowners take the opportunity to
rid their yards and property of unneeded materials by burning
them outdoors.
This has been
a common practice in the Staunton area, residents need to
understand the regulations surrounding outdoor burning.
The Staunton Fire
Protection District, in conjunction with the Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency, would like to help clarify some common
misunderstandings about outdoor burning through the following
questions and answers:
Is
leaf burning allowed in Illinois?
There are no state laws which prohibit burning;
however, some restrictions do exist. Leave may be burned only
on the premises on which they are produced or at sites provided
by and supervised by local government. Within the city of
Staunton, local laws only allow burning on Fridays and Saturedays
during daylight hours (sun up to sun down).
May other types of vegetative waste
be burned?
Yes, if the vegetative waste is also landscape
waste. Landscape waste is defined as all accumulations of
grass and shrubbery cuttings, leaves, tree limbs, and other
materials accumulated as the result of the care of lawns,
shrubbery, vines and trees. However, the same restrictions
apply to the opening burning of this type of waste as to the
burning of leaves.
When is a tree not landscape waste?
Vegetative materials, especially trees, generated
as part of pre-construction or clearing activities are by
definition not agricultural or landscape waste, as they are
not generated by the same type of activity as lawn maintenance.
These materials are more properly categorized as trade waste.
Vegetative materials that are also trade waste may be burned,
but only if they are burned in a permitted air curtain destructor.
Can construction and
demolition debris be burned
Construction and demolition debris includes
but is not limited to wood, roofing, insulation, siding, plumbing,
paints, electrical wire or coating, varnishes, packing materials
or any other materials use in or as part of building, renovating
or dismantling any structure. Burning and open dumping of
construction and demolition debris is strictly forbidden by
the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. First time violators
face penalties of $1500 per violation and more serious violators
are subject to criminal penalties including fines of $5000
or higher per violation and possible jail time.
Can burning waste cause harm?
The open burning of materials, including leaves
and grass, can be of particular concern because of it impact
on the public’s health. Smoke from leaves, grass, brush,
and most plants contains high concentrations of pollutants
such as carbon monoxide, particulates, and even carcinogens.
Additionally, the high moisture content of some vegetation
causes low burn temperatures and inefficient burning, resulting
in noxious odors and incomplete combustion.
How can smoke be minimized from open
burning?
To burn with reduced smoke, the fire must
be hot. Dry fuel, high temperatures and plenty of oxygen help
reduce the amount of smoke generated. The recommended elapsed
time between cutting and burning should be 3 to 6 weeks form
vegetative materials smaller than 6 inches in diameter and
6 weeks for vegetative materials greater than 6 inches in
diameter.
What are the alternatives to open
burning?
Consider chipping, shredding, mulching and
composting yard waste. Composting yard waste and using leaves
and grass clippings for mulch are alternatives. Compost piles
are simple to begin and maintain. Branches and trunks larger
than 3 inches can be used for firewood.
Does the Staunton Fire Protection
District have any regulations regarding open burning?
The Staunton Fire Protection does have an
open burning program for large- scale open burns. Any time
landowners burn large piles of vegetative wastes or farm fields,
the SFPD must be contacted in advance (preferably at least
3 days) of the burn date. Additionally, the SFPD will respond
to and extinguish any unmonitored open burns which have the
potential to damage structures or spread to unprotected areas.
Will the Staunton Fire Protection
District standby with equipment and personnel for open burning
operations?
The Staunton Fire Protection District will
not normally provide standby equipment and personnel for open
burning operations. In some special situations the SFPD may
provide these services for governmental agencies.
Does the Staunton Fire Protection
District burn old structures for training purposes?
Occasionally the SFPD will burn old structures
for training purposes. Normally the structures must be in
non-congested areas and usually will need to be outside the
Staunton city limits. Proper permitting from the Illinois
EPA and the Illinois Historical Agency must be obtained and
release forms must be signed by the structure owner prior
to conducting any training burns. The process to obtain the
necessary permits usually takes 60 to 90 days.
Where can I find out more information
regarding open burning?
For information regarding
the burning of landscape waste contact the Illinois EPA Bureau
of Air at 217-782-5544. For more information about the proper
disposal of construction and demolition waste, call the Illinois
Small Business Environmental Assistance Helpline at 800-252-3998.
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