Friday, June 10, 2011
 
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Landscape waste a burning issue

Before you light the fire, know when and how you may do it

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[June 10, 2011]  As the building and safety officer for the city of Lincoln, John Lebegue gets very excited when he drives around the city of Lincoln and sees residents taking pride in their green spaces.

A nicely mown lawn, trimmed trees and shrubs, flower gardens, and even vegetable gardens not only add to the curb appeal of a home, but also add to the overall appearance of a community.

In addition, taking care of a lawn can cause a contagious reaction, as many times, one neighbor cleaning up his or her lawn will result in other neighbors following suit.

However, when the work is done, sometimes there is an issue that needs to be addressed, a burning issue if you will, of what to do with everything that was trimmed off, cut off, picked up and piled up.

When residents choose to set fire to some of their waste, they may very well be violating city ordinances and prompting a visit from the city fire department in the process.

Over the last few weeks, the fire department has averaged one to two calls per week for unauthorized burning or the burning of trash.

According to Chief Mark Miller of the Lincoln Fire Department, many of these calls could be avoided if the public were more aware of what the city ordinances regarding burning are.

"There are designated days and hours that folks can burn their yard waste. Most of the time, the problem is that they are burning on the wrong days. When we talk to them about it, a lot of them say they didn't know they were only allowed to burn on certain days," Miller said.

Below is the portion of city code that applies to burning within the city limits of Lincoln:

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(E) No person shall set fire to any items, whether it be leaves, rubbish or other combustible material within the city limits unless that burning is as follows:

1. The burning of fuels for legitimate campfire recreation and cooking purposes, or in domestic fireplaces, in areas where such burning is consistent with other laws; provided that no garbage shall be burned in such cases. However, prior to having an affair commonly known as a wiener roast or similar outdoor function any time during the year, the owner of the property or persons holding said function, shall be responsible to contact the fire department and receive permission for said outside burning. (Ord. 263, 10-17-1988)

2. (a) Between April 1 through October 1 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. until six o'clock (6:00) P.M., residents of the city shall be entitled to burn landscape waste only.

(b) Between October 2 through March 31 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. until five o'clock (5:00) P.M., residents of the city shall be entitled to burn landscape waste only.

(c) Any landscape waste that is burned pursuant to the provisions hereof shall be burned until the fire is completely out, no later than the times set forth above, and shall be attended to by the individual conducting the landscape waste burn. Any burning done pursuant to the provisions hereof shall be done only on concrete or brick streets or concrete, brick or paved areas of a citizen's property, but the location of such burning must be a minimum of fifty feet (50') from any structure, and the individual conducting the burn must have an operable hose, of sufficient size and capacity to extinguish the fire, available at the burning site at all times.

(d) Pursuant to the provisions of this subsection (E)2, only landscape waste may be burned and must be burned in the open and shall not be contained in any barrel or other similar device. "Landscape waste" is hereby defined as any vegetable or plant refuse except garbage and agricultural waste. The term includes trees, tree trimmings, branches, stumps, brush, weeds, leaves, grass, shrubbery, and yard trimmings.

(e) Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, any police officer or firefighter of the city of Lincoln, or the Lincoln city code enforcement officer may require any fire being burned pursuant to the provisions hereof to be extinguished if, in his or her opinion, such fire and the related smoke there from are injurious to the health or safety of any other citizens of the city. If so requested, pursuant to this subsection any citizen shall immediately extinguish such fire and the failure to do so shall result in the penalties as hereinafter set forth.

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3. Any violation of this subsection shall be punishable by a fine of not less than twenty five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense; fifty dollars ($50.00) for the second offense; and seventy five dollars ($75.00) for the third offense within a calendar year. Any offense beyond the third offense in a calendar year shall result in a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500.00). (Ord. 652, 8-20-2007)

The ordinance seems pretty cut and dried, but sometimes those doing the burning sway a little from the rules, and Miller is asking only that readers examine the ordinance and know what they can and cannot do.

Calling the fire department out for a fire such as this is costly and easily avoided if folks will pay attention.

When burning yard waste, it should be only yard waste. Don't use trash to start the fire, and don't add items such as seed or fertilizer bags to the burn pile.

Miller was asked about campfires in the city limits and said that yes, they are allowed with certain provisions.

He asked that anyone who is planning on building a campfire on their property for a party or other such event, please call the fire department and tell them.

Miller said that when notified in advance, the department will advise the caller of what time the fire must be put out, and generally folks will be told they can keep their fire going later into the evening, although by ordinance, fires are expected to be extinguished by 6 p.m. during the summer months.

Miller also noted that campfires must be constructed of wood products only and that food-grade starter fuels such as charcoal lighter fluid can be used.

Regardless of what the fire may be or whether or not the department has been notified, if a call comes in for a fire, the department must respond.

Miller expressed that they can't be too careful. When someone sees what they believe is a fire at a property, it must be checked out.

"When it is fires where we know there is wiener roast for example, we still have to go, with a fire truck," he said. "We don't use lights and sirens on those trips, but we go, check it out, make sure everything is being done right and that the fire is under control."

Even when the burn is taking place on the right day and time, there may be instances when the police, city code officer or the fire department will visit and ask that the fire be extinguished. This is part of the ordinance regarding public safety.

If the fire is presenting a health hazard to other residents in the community, then city officials have the right to order it extinguished.

For residents who find they have neighbors with health issues, their best answer for disposing of their landscape waste might be the city landfill. The landfill is open at specific times and days during the summer. To find out when, contact Tracy Jackson of the city street department or check the city of Lincoln website.

[By NILA SMITH]

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