Published: November 03, 2009 09:56 am      

Fire department reminds residents to burn leaves properly

Autumn is here, and the leaves are changing colors and falling to the ground. Although the season is beautiful, it can come with some hazards when residents try to keep their yards in shape by burning leaves.

Effingham Fire Department wants to remind residents of the city’s open burn regulations and how a small leaf fire can easily become too large or out of control.

“If the air conditions are just right, the fire can easily spread into the next person’s yard,” said Fire Chief Joe Holomy.

The fire department has already received several calls pertaining to fires that were out of control because the pile of leaves was too big to handle. Two situations involved damage to homes because of the intense heat.

If residents don’t follow the burning regulations, they can be subject to a fine of no less than $50 but no more than $750. A separate fine is issued for each day a regulation is violated. The fines increase with the number of violations.

The open burn regulations for the city of Effingham include:

• The open burning of landscape waste is allowed between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

• It is unlawful to burn garbage of any kind at any time in the city limits.

• It is unlawful to burn paper, paper goods, cardboard and other rubbish of any kind anywhere in the city limits except in an incinerator approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

• It is unlawful to allow landscape waste to smolder anywhere in the city limits at any time. Smolder is defined as “to burn sluggishly, without flame and often much smoke.”

• Landscape waste is defined as “any vegetable or plants refuse, except garbage and agricultural waste.” The term includes trees, tree trimmings, branches, stumps, brush, weeds, leaves, shrubbery and yard trimmings.

• Grass is not included by definition and therefore is not allowed to be openly burned.

• On-site open burning is the burning of landscape waste generated from the same lot, property or tract of land in which it is being burned on. On-site open burning does not require a permit from the fire department provided that the landscape waste has been properly piled away from any structure, attended by a responsible person, the open burning is done in such a way as to not create a hazard on roadways, railroad tracks and air fields and that the fire is not allowed to smolder.

• Off-site open burning is the burning of landscape waste generated from one site and moved to another site for burning. Off-site open burning does require a permit from the fire department.

• Burn-off is defined as “to cause or allow the burning of landscape waste or vegetation on site without proper collecting, piling and attending of such burning.” Burn-off is allowed provided that the property owner receives a permit from the fire department.

• The open burning regulations do not prohibit the burning of fuels for legitimate campfire, recreational and cooking purposes or in domestic fireplaces in areas where such burning is consistent with other laws, provided that no garbage shall be burned in such cases.

For questions regarding open burning regulations, contact the Effingham Fire Department at 217-342-2555.

Samantha Newburn may be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 131 or samantha.newburn@effinghamdailynews.com.