STATE LAW REQUIRES BURNING

PERMITS FOR OPEN FIRES

EAST LANSING, Mich. -Once the snow melts, its time to begin raking leaves and other yard waste left from last summer. Homeowners who plan on burning their leaves and other yard debris must have a burning permit.

Burning permits are required in Michigan wherever open fire exists, unless the fire is a campfire, is on snow-covered ground or has an agricultural exemption. Agricultural exemptions apply only to certain components of the cropping operation and do not include burning road shoulders, burning vegetation from ground that has been newly cleared, etc.

Homeowners and farmers in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan and the Upper Peninsula can now obtain a burning permit on-line by going to www.michigandnr.com/burnpermits. Otherwise, in southern Michigan, permits can be obtained for free at fire departments or township offices. In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northern areas of the Lower Peninsula, permits are issued by the area Department of Natural Resources office.

When the permit is issued the resident will be advised if conditions are too dry or windy to burn and if so, a permit will not be issued that day. In some townships, local ordinances prohibit outdoor burning altogether. Michigan fire law allows only natural vegetation to be burned in a burn pile. Construction materials, old furniture and other non-vegetative material may not be burned.

Homeowners and farmers must understand that if their debris fire burns out of control, the resident who set it is responsible for all damages, even if a permit was issued. In the event that the individual was negligent, fines may be levied.

For more information on burning permits contact your local township office, fire department, or the area MDNR office. To learn more about preventing wildfires and wildfire behavior in Michigan, visit the Michigan State University Emergency Management Web site at www.firewise.msu.edu .

To learn more about preventing wildfires, visit the Michigan State University Emergency Management Web site at www.msue.msu.edu/emergency.

For more information on wildfire behavior in Michigan, pick up a copy of “Understanding Wildfire Behavior in Michigan” (MSU Extension Bulletin E-2882) at your county MSU Extension office.

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