Burn Permits For Some Areas Must Be Obtained From ADEQ

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By Tammy Gray-Searles
    For the next few weeks, residents who live in areas such as Sun Valley, Joseph City and Woodruff will have to contact the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) directly in order to receive a burn permit.
    Several agencies, including Navajo County and the Sun Valley and Joseph City fire districts, recently learned that they do not have the proper paperwork filed with ADEQ to issue burn permits. Until the error is corrected, ADEQ will work directly with local residents who need a burn permit.
    Navajo County Assistant Emergency Services Manager Tommy Price explained that the county is working closely with ADEQ to obtain the authority to issue permits, and expects to have the paperwork completed within the next few weeks. He noted that the Joseph City and Sun Valley fire departments are also working through the process. In the meantime, ADEQ Community Liaison Byron James of the agency’s St. Johns office is available to assist residents in obtaining burn permits.
    “We’re trying very diligently to get this corrected,” Price said.
    Price noted that the problem caused some confusion for residents who had previously obtained burn permits from the county.
    Currently, burn permits can be obtained from the following agencies by residents who live within their jurisdiction: City of Holbrook, Snowflake Fire Department, Winslow Fire Department, Heber/Overgaard Fire Department, Pinetop Fire Department, Linden Fire Department, Lakeside Fire Department, Show Low Fire Department and White Mountain Lake Fire Department. Residents in all other areas must obtain burn permits directly from ADEQ until Navajo County and the Sun Valley and Joseph City fire departments receive authority from ADEQ to issue the permits.
    Regardless of which agency issues the permit, Price noted that there are some basic regulations that residents should remember to follow. He noted that, with few exceptions, only agricultural burning and burning of yard waste is allowed. Burning of trash is only allowed under special circumstances, and a spe-cial permit must be requested and issued. The burn must be completed during daylight hours, beginning no sooner than one hour after sunrise and ending before sunset.
    The only types of fires allowed without a burn permit are fires used for cooking, for providing warmth for humans, for recreational purposes or for the branding of animals. Certain types of fires set by public officers in the performance of official duty are also allowed.
    In Navajo County, burning is not allowed when winds are higher than five miles per hour, and cannot take place within 50 feet of any structure.
    Price noted that individuals who need a burn permit should try to obtain one in advance. County offices as well as ADEQ offices are not open on weekends for issuance of permits, so a permit must be obtained ahead of time in order to burn on the weekend.
    To obtain a burn permit, contact your local fire department or city hall, or for assistance in applying through ADEQ, call Navajo County Emergency Management Services at (928) 524-4792.