Published: April 29, 2008 09:55 am      

Emergency management coordinator details burning rules

In conjunction with the Clinton County Fire Chiefs Association, the Clinton County Emergency Management Agency would like to remind residents that they should adhere to the rules set forth by the burning regulations in their respective communities.

The cities of Camanche, Clinton, and DeWitt have separate ordinances and all other county residents fall under the Clinton County Burn Ordinance.

In recent weeks there have been several large grass fires in nearby Illinois counties. Currently residents are clearing ditches and burning tree limbs that were taken down by the winter storms. This increase in burning activity also increases the likelihood that we will have fires that get out of control. To reduce that risk, all Clinton County residents are asked to follow their local regulations.

Individuals intending to have an open burn should be aware of the atmospheric conditions. Burns should not be attempted if wind speeds will be 10 mph or greater at any time during the burn. During dry periods individuals should be aware of the increased risk. If it is determined by the fire departments that environmental conditions are too dangerous for open burning, then a burn ban will be put in effect at that time.

The Clinton County Burn Ordinance requires individuals to notify the Clinton County Communications Center prior to burning with the following information: The name of the person responsible for the burn, that person’s telephone or cell phone number, the specific location of the burn, and the time that it will be occurring. All open fires must be attended by an adult person until the fire is extinguished. County residents should call Communications at 1-800-462-6530 or 242-9211 prior to burning.

The City of Clinton and the City of Camanche’s ordinances are very similar with the important difference that Camanche’s prohibits the burning of anything other than yard waste.

Otherwise the hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for both of them. Clinton Fire Marshal Michael Brown specifies “that means the fire must be extinguished by 5 p.m.” Both cities require the fire to be attended by an adult with a garden hose that is hooked to a water supply.

The City of DeWitt only allows for brush, sticks, branches, trees and shrubs or other similar organic debris (excluding garden waste such as leaves and grass) to be burned on single or two-family residential properties. The DeWitt ordinance also prohibits the burning of anything non-organic. All ordinances require the fire to be attended by an adult until the fire is extinguished and prohibit burning in the public right of way.

Chance Kness, Coordinator

Clinton County Emergency Management