The Fall 2013 Open Burning season is scheduled to begin September 15, 2013, and will continue through October 30, 2013.
The rules for open burning are the same, but this year the burn permit application process will be managed by the State of Utah Department of Air Quality. You will be able to apply for a burn permit online and receive a printable confirmation of your permit, which you will retain until your permit expires.
To apply for a burn permit, click on this link: Burn Permit Application. Once you arrive at the permit application site, choose the city where you will be burning select the type of permit you are applying for then click on the “Start Burn Permit Application” button and complete the applicable fields on the permit application. Once your application is complete please print the confirmation and retain the confirmation in case you need to present it to a fire department or law enforcement official.
If you have questions regarding the burn permit process and how it applies to Newton and the surrounding area, please contact a fire department official. Contact numbers for the fire department officers have been included in the Newton Town Phone Directory or you may call the Cache County Fire District at 755-1670.
The following additional information regarding burn permits comes from the Cache County Fire District and the State of Utah DAQ website:
Open burning is a source of air pollution that is regulated by the Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ). There are statewide rules in place that regulate open burning activities. Recent modifications to these rules change the open burn periods and include a statewide requirement to obtain a DAQ Online Open Burn Permit Application prior to burning.
The DAQ rules governing open burning can be found in the Utah Administrative Code (UAC) R307-202. This rule allows open burning of: clippings, bushes, plants and pruning's from trees incident to property and residential clean-up activities, provided that the following conditions have been met: The clearing index is 500 or greater. The clearing index is a measure of the atmospheric mixing and wind speed. A clearing index less than 500 is considered poor atmospheric conditions and a permit will not be issued.
The Utah Division of Air Quality’s online Open Burn Permit Application must be completed, a valid permit number issued by the DAQ. Permits may be issued between March 30 and May 30 and between September 15 and October 30 for residential open burning. Applicants statewide are required to complete the Utah Division of Air Quality Open Burn Permit Application prior to igniting and open burn. After the application is completed and submitted, a copy is sent electronically to the appropriate Fire Department in Cache County.
The online open burn permit application program checks to see if there is an active open burn window and checks the clearing index to see if it is forecast to be above 500. If there is not an open burn window or if the clearing index is forecast to be below 500, the program will not allow a person to complete the application.
An open burn permit application is required for each separate burn. An open burn permit is valid only on the lands specified in the permit and is required to be on site at the time of the burn. All materials to be burned must be clearly described and quantified in the application. Applicants must be aware of any and all local, state and federal rules and regulations applicable to their area. Open burning may be prohibited in some areas of the state.
If completing the open burn permit application online is not an option, a hard copy of the application may be completed and submitted by mail to the DAQ for electronic processing. To request a hard copy of the open burn permit application, contact the DAQ by phone at (801) 536-4000. Please note: it may take up to 14 days from the date of request to receive an open burn permit if a hard copy is submitted for processing.
If your fire extends beyond your control you should immediately call the fire department at 911.
To contact the Division of Air Quality with questions or complaints, please call (801) 536-4000.