Fire safety burn permits no longer required this year

CATALDO — Starting Oct. 21, a fire safety burn permit from the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) is no longer required until next year for burning activities outside city limits.

The fire safety burn permit from IDL is required for any burning, excluding recreational campfires, outside city limits during “closed fire season,” which extends from May 10 through Oct. 20 every year.

Those planning to burn still should check with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), local fire departments, and Tribal reservations if applicable before burning to determine if other permits are required or local burning limitations are in place.

Humans, not lightning, caused approximately 80 percent of the wildfires this year on lands protected by the State of Idaho. Most fires are started by accident, and escaped debris burning is one of the leading causes of wildfires.

Fire managers ask Idahoans to use caution when burning outside of closed fire season and follow these steps:

- Check for required permits with local fire departments, DEQ, and Tribal reservations if applicable.

- Keep water and a shovel on hand at all times.

- Check conditions prior to burning. Do not burn when it is windy or when the surrounding vegetation is very dry.

- Look around. The burn site should be free from any other combustible material.

- Look up and choose a safe site for burning away from power lines, overhanging limbs, buildings, vehicles, and equipment.

- Keep your pile small and manageable. Add additional debris as the pile burns down.

- Never leave a burning pile unattended until it is cold to the touch. Drown the fire with water, stir the ashes with a shovel, and continue to drown and stir until the pile is cold. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.

- Check the burn area regularly over the next several days and for several weeks following the burn, especially if the weather is warm, dry, and windy.

Even though a fire safety burn permit is not required outside of closed fire season, the IDL still recommends burners obtain the permit to help firefighters minimize “false” runs to fires and save firefighting resources for instances in which they are truly needed. The permit is free and can be obtained online at burnpermits.idaho.gov or in person at IDL offices statewide.

The IDL issued more than 14,100 fire safety burn permits in calendar year 2017.