Open Burning Begins March 23, 2012

A mild winter and early spring weather conditions has prompted fire officials to move up the date for Spring 2012 open burning in Cache County. Beginning March 23, 2012 and extending to April 23, 2012, If you would like to obtain a burn permit for a fire inside Newton Town limits, the following guidelines apply:

The Newton Fire Department issues burn permits inside Newton Town limits for fires of ordinary combustibles (tree trimmings, yard and garden waste) on days when the Clearing Index (above 500) and the local Air Quality ratings (green air day) allow for open burning.

The clearing index relates to the atmospheric conditions that allow smoke to clear; the air quality rating relates to particulates of pollutants in the air, largely increased during the winter inversions that we experience. The local ratings are available after 9 AM, Monday through Saturday (Cache County is part of Airshed 4 on the Clearing Index page link).

If you are not able to access the clearing index and air quality websites, please contact a Newton Fire Department officer - Chief Reed Jenkins; Assistant Chief's Greg Fabricius or Greg Jorgensen - and they will locate the day's index and air quality ratings and return your call.

If the clearing index ratings allow burning, permits will be issued Monday - Saturday for fires within Newton Town limits by a Newton Fire Department officer and will be valid for one day, unless otherwise specified.

You should receive a permit number and note it for reference in case there is a question as to who issued the permit, etc.

The guidelines for burning after you have received a permit are as follows:

• Ordinary combustibles only: Tree trimmings, yard and garden waste - no chemicals or fuels or construction materials.
• Your fire MUST be attended at all times.
• Your fire MUST be extinguished in the last half hour before dark.

If your fire extends beyond your control you should immediately call the fire department via 911.

Agricultural permits for areas of Cache County Fire District Zone 5 (surrounding Newton) are available by contacting the the Cache County Fire District office number at 435-755-1670, or you may contact one of the Newton Fire Department officers, named above. Although the clearing index and air quality guidelines are not applicable to permits for agricultural burning, agricultural fires must be attended at all times and must be extinguished in the last half hour before dark.

If you have any questions about the burn permit procedure, feel free to contact one of the Newton Fire Department officers.

Thanks for your compliance with the burn permit ordinance of Cache County!