Permits required soon for controlled burning

CATALDO – With the weather changing into summer like conditions, it is time for fire safety burn permits.

The Shoshone County Fire Chiefs Association states that beginning on May 10, Shoshone County residents must obtain a fire safety burn permit before starting certain controlled burn activities.

These permits are free of charge and are good for 10 days after it is issued. Permits can be obtained online at www.burnpermits.idaho.gov, over the phone or in person throughout Shoshone County.

You can also stop by your local fire station, Idaho Department of Lands office or USFS office for your closed fire season reminder magnet.

Idaho law (38-115) requires any person in Idaho who plans to burn anything during closed fire season to obtain a fire safety burn permit. This does not include recreational campfires

Closed fire season also begins May 10 and extends through October 20 every year.

Residents are also encouraged to contact their local fire department before burning because some incorporated cities and towns may require their own permit.

The fire safety burn permit system helps inform fire managers where burning activities are occurring, reducing the number of false runs to fires and saving firefighting resources for instances in which they are truly needed. It also enables fire managers to respond more quickly to fires that escape.

Local fire station contact information in the Silver Valley is as follows:

- Interstate 90 corridor- Idaho Department of Lands: 208-682-4611

- East Silver Valley- Shoshone County Fire District No. 1: 208-752-1101

- West Silver Valley- Shone County Fire District No. 2: 208-784-1188

- Coeur d’Alene River- USFS Silver Valley Office: 208-783-2363