HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-95 - Res.Establishing Outdoor Burning Program for Mason County RESOLUTION NO. � -
WHEREAS, outdoor burning is a hazard from both a fire safety
standpoint and a public health nuisance standpoint, and
WHEREAS, outdoor burning is allowed in Mason County, subject to
permit, and
WHEREAS, Mason County currently has in place a permit program for
outdoor burning, which conforms with the requirements of the
Washington State clean Air Act (RCW 70.94) , and
WHEREAS, the Mason County outdoor burning program is managed by the
Mason County Fire Marshal, under the authority granted by Section
11.203 of the 1991 Uniform Fire Code, and
WHEREAS, fire protection districts in Mason County are
legislatively authorized to issue outdoor burning permits and to
charge a fee for such activity, under the authority granted by RCW
52. 12. 101, and
WHEREAS, the outdoor burning permits issued by fire protection
districts in Mason County shall conform with the minimum Mason
County Guidelines for Outdoor Burning, and
WHEREAS, it is acknowledged by all parties that a cooperative
effort is necessary if the public is to be properly served, and
WHEREAS, it is acknowledged that all parties affected by this
resolution must fully understand their respective role, and
WHEREAS, in order to define these respective roles the following
resolution has been adopted.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
An outdoor burning program has been established in Mason County as
follows:
1. All open fires are permitted either by a written permit or under
a general rule burn program.
2 . Written permits may be issued by designated Mason County offices
or fire protection districts.
3 . Written permits will only be issued for:
a. Land clearing fires (larger than 4' in diameter) consisting
of natural vegetation resulting from land clearing projects,
and
b. Permits will not be issued for the burning of prohibited
materials, and
c. The duration of a written permit shall not exceed one
month, and
d. Mason County offices will issue no-fee land clearing open
burning permits in those fire districts not issuing their own
permits, and
e. Land clearing permits can also be issued by those Mason
County fire districts that choose to do so. Fire districts are
allowed to charge a fee for the issuance of burning permits,
and
f. Written permits will not be required for residential yard
debris fires.
4. Residential yard debris burning, fires no larger than 4' in
diameter and burn barrels, will be allowed under a general rule
burn program. Under this concept, property owners will have a total
of 14 days during each calendar year to burn residential yard
debris.
a. Property owners can pick the specific 14 days to burn, as
long as the total, in any calendar year, does not exceed 14
days.
b. No fees will be charged for residential yard debris burning
and a written permit is not required. However, the person in
charge of the fire must have a copy of the Guidelines For
Outdoor Fires In Mason County in hand at the fire location.
C. The brochure---Guidelines For Outdoor Fires In Mason
County---will be available through County offices and local
fire districts and will be mailed to property owners upon
request.
5. Recreational fires, which are fires not used for yard debris
disposal, and ceremonial fires, which are fires associated with a
Native American ceremony or ritual, will not be directly regulated
under the general rule burn program. However, they will be subject
to all other applicable open burning regulations, including
setbacks, pile size, etc.
THE INTENT OF THIS RESOLUTION IS TO PROVIDE FOR THE HEALTH AND
SAFETY OF THE CITIZENS OF MASON COUNTY AND TO ASSURE THAT MASON
COUNTY IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE WASHINGTON STATE CLEAN AIR ACT.
PASSED THIS DAY OF JQMO y2 , 1995.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
M.L. Faughender, Chairp rson
/ A�-
William O. Hunter, Commissioner
/1/
Mary Jo a i, Commisssioner
ATTEST:
Rebecca S. /Rogers, C+ erk of the Board
f�
p OVED AS TO FORM:
Michael E. Clift, Chief Deputy Prosecutor
c: Fire Marshal