Fall is a common time to work around the yard – there are leaves to rake and sticks to pick up. It may seem that the easiest way to get rid of all the sticks and leaves is to burn them. However, just remember that Nevada does have an ordinance regarding open burning and when it is allowed. City of Nevada Ordinance 105.05 “OPEN BURNING RESTRICTED” defines how waste can be stored and disposed of. The fall open burning period is from Oct. 1 through Nov. 20. Open burning during this time frame may not commence before 8 a.m. and must be fully extinguished by 5 p.m.
In order to comply with the law and keep yourself safe there are some additional guidelines to follow. A competent adult needs to attend all open fires of landscape waste at all times until the fire is fully extinguished. In addition, this adult needs to have fire extinguishing equipment readily available such as a garden hose that is connected to a working water supply. Flammable or combustible liquids, accelerants or tires are all prohibited from being used to start a fire. Landscape waste must be at least forty feet from any structure, including wooden fences and utility poles or within a public utility easement. Before conducting an open burn consider the weather conditions. Controlled burns “caught by the wind” that turn to uncontrolled burns are a common type of call that we receive each year.
There are additional ways you can dispose of yard waste such as mulching or checking with your garbage provider on their yard waste removal guidelines. If you have any questions about open burn you can contact Fire Chief Ray Reynolds at 515-382-4593.
-Written by Jessica Melton, Community Risk Reduction Officer for Nevada Fire Department
