OUTDOOR BURNING

Are you Interested to know about Outdoor Burning especially in Oracle during the Fire season?
BURN PERMITS: Backyard burning usually requires a permit. Pinal County Air Quality will suspend the issuance of burn permits based on the schedule below:
1. As of April 2, 2012, only 3-day burn permits and Agricultural burn permits are being issued. April 27, 2011 is the last day burn permits will be available.
2. All residential and commercial burn permits will expire by Tuesday, May 1.
3. Starting May 1, no burn permits will be issued until further notice. We typically leave the suspension in place until the monsoon season is in full swing, which is usually some time in August.
4. After May 1, the only burn permits that will be valid are Agricultural burn permits, which are issued for a 1-year time span.
5. In addition to the Pinal County Air Quality burn permit suspension, Arizona Revised Statute 49-501 bans all open outdoor fires from May 1 to Sept. 30 in Area A. Area A is generally north of Arizona Farms Road and west of Hwy 79, and includes San Tan Valley, Queen Creek, Gold Canyon and Apache Junction.

Certain types of fires may be exempt from burning permits. Exempt fires may include: heating fires, cooking fires, and recreation fires, however these fires need to be kept small and under control at all times.

The Arizona State Land department and the Coronado National Forest have their own rules and burning restrictions. It's best to check directly with those agencies before burning, or even smoking on public lands.

 

BURNING PERMIT GUIDELINES
from ORACLE FIRE DEPT:

• Dress appropriately. Wear closed toe shoes and cotton clothing. Also wear leather or cotton gloves, eye protection and a hat.

• A few small fires are usually safer than one large fire. Begin with a small fire and feed that fire by using fuels from a nearby pile.

• Fire fighting tools (shovel, rake, charged water hose) must be near and available at all times.

• Be aware of burning under power lines, phone lines and low branches. Aluminum power lines can melt at low temperatures.

• Do not burn at the base of a hill or on any slopes.

• Have a flat non-combustible 20 foot perimeter around the fire and wet down the surrounding area as often necessary.  

• Never leave the fire unattended. Extinguish before nightfall.

• Be courteous of your neighbors. The smell of smoke can alarm many people and they will call 911 to report it. Alert as many of your neighbors as possible before you start to burn.

• Before you begin burning, call the Oracle Fire Dept. at 896-2980 to advise the on-duty crew of the location and the approximate hours that you intend to burn.

• You are legally responsible for your fire. If your fire escapes you can be held personally liable for damages.

• Be very cautious of flying embers from even a small breeze.  

• Please follow all of the rules listed on the front of your burn permit.

If your fire should get out of control, quickly call 911.