Chapter 7.20
OUTDOOR BURNING
Sections:
7.20.035 Unlawful disposal—Incinerators.
7.20.010 Burning permitted.
There shall be no outdoor burning within the city except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. There are only two types of fires permitted within the limits of the city of Connell: tumbleweed fires and recreational fires. (Ord. 955 § 1 (part), 2015).
7.20.020 Burn permits.
Permits are not required, nor issued, for the two types of fires that are allowed within the city limits. The two types of fires that are permissible fires are tumbleweed fires and recreational fires. (Ord. 955 § 1 (part), 2015).
7.20.030 Compliance rules.
All burning must comply with the following rules:
(a) Tumbleweed Fire Rules.
(1) Tumbleweeds that have blown onto one’s property (not growing) can be burned between the hours of six a.m. and three p.m.
(2) Avoid burning during periods of high temperatures (ninety-five degrees or higher), low humidity (twenty percent or lower) and in particular, strong winds (ten miles per hour or stronger).
(3) A fuel break that is free of grass, shrubbery, weeds, vegetation and any other combustible material, including overhanging limbs from trees, that might promote the spread of the fire beyond the confines of the tumbleweed pile shall be established and maintained until fire is completely extinguished.
(4) Fires shall be attended and controlled at all times by an alert individual capable of monitoring and immediately extinguishing fires, if necessary, until such time as the fire has been completely extinguished. This individual shall have in their possession a hand tool (shovel, hoe, pitch fork, rake, etc.) and immediate access to a charged hose or other water source sufficient to extinguish the fire.
(b) Recreational Fire Rules.
(1) Recreational fire pits shall be constructed of concrete, stone or an approved noncombustible material. The bottom of the fire pit may be sand, mineral soil or metal. Recreational fire pits shall be maintained in good condition during periods of use.
(2) Limited to the burning of only dry, seasoned wood, wood pellets or charcoal briquettes.
(3) Shall not exceed three feet in diameter by two feet in height.
(4) Must be for the purpose of cooking, pleasure or religious ceremonies.
(5) Fires shall be attended and controlled at all times by an alert individual capable of monitoring and immediately extinguishing fires, if necessary, until such time as the fire has been completely extinguished. This individual shall have immediate access to a hand tool (shovel, hoe, pitch fork, rake, etc.) and a charged hose or other water source sufficient to extinguish the fire.
(c) In the city of Connell it is always illegal to:
(1) Use a burn barrel.
(2) Burn prohibited materials including but not limited to:
(A) Domestic garbage, refuse, or dead animals.
(B) Cardboard and paper products.
(C) Yard waste and debris, other than windblown tumbleweeds.
(D) Building materials including plywood, particle board, finished lumber, paints, vinyl flooring, roofing and scrap lumber.
(E) Rubber products, including tires.
(F) Plastics, petroleum products, asphalt and tar paper.
(G) Material that produces smoke that is offensive or harmful to your neighbors.
(3) Smoke out your neighbor. If they complain, you may be required to adjust or put out the fire immediately.
(d) There shall be no burning or outdoor fires on days designated as “air pollution episode days” by the appropriate governmental authority, including the state of Washington or Franklin County.
(e) The fire shall not be located less than twenty feet from any structure or power, telephone, or utility pole.
(f) No person shall start or maintain a fire upon land belonging to another person without written permission of the landowner or landowner’s agent.
(g) The fire must be extinguished at any time the fire creates a public hazard or materially interferes with the rights of other persons to enjoy their property.
(h) The city fire chief (or their acting), building official, public works director and any city police officer shall have authority to order that any fire be immediately extinguished based upon that person’s belief of a potential danger or safety problem. (Ord. 955 § 1 (part), 2015).
7.20.035 Unlawful disposal—Incinerators.
It is unlawful for any person to bury, burn, dump, collect, remove, or in any other manner dispose of garbage or swill upon any street, alley or public place or private property within the city otherwise than as provided in this chapter. Organic waste may be burned on private property in commercially operated incinerators approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology and the city fire chief. All ashes from such incinerators shall be placed in garbage cans for removal by the refuse collector at such times as shall be necessary. (Ord. 955 § 1 (part), 2015: Ord. 850 § 5, 2009).
7.20.040 Violation—Penalty.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a civil infraction and, upon a finding that the infraction has been committed, shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars. (Ord. 955 § 1 (part), 2015).