Fire safety burn permits still required through Oct. 20

The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) is reminding citizens that fire safety burn permits are required through Oct. 20.

The permits can be obtained online at http://www.burnpermits.idaho.gov.

Idaho law (38-115) requires any person living outside city limits anywhere in Idaho who plans to burn anything - including crop residue burning and excluding recreational campfires - during closed fire season to obtain a fire safety burn permit. Closed fire season begins May 10 and extends through Oct. 20 every year. 

 

The fire safety burn permit is free of charge and good for up to 10 days after it is issued. The duration of the permit as well as specific terms and conditions are established at the local fire warden level.

Anyone issued a burn permit is encouraged to print it out and thoroughly read it, to ensure the permittee understands conditions of the permit in their specific location.

The fire safety burn permit system will help 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, potentially reducing the liability of the burner if their fire escapes.

Questions about burn permits can be directed to staff in a local IDL office. Contact information for offices is located at http://www.idl.idaho.gov/areas/index.html.