Grand Island announces restrictive/open burn permits for October

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - The city of Grand Island Fire Department announces the fall/restrictive open burn period will occur from Sunday, Oct. 8, through Saturday evening, Oct. 21, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Residents will need to purchase a $10 burn permit in order to participate in the spring/restrictive open burn period. A permit can be purchased weekdays, Oct. 2 through Oct. 20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Fire Administration suite at Grand Island City Hall, 100 E. First Street. Residents burning without a permit will be subject to a fine.

The burn period is restricted to properties of owners or occupants of private one and two family dwellings. Commercial properties are not allowed to participate in open burning. Burns are restricted to leaves and brush indigenous to the property permitted where no nuisance or hazard is created. Examples include tree branches, tree limbs, leaves, and garden waste. It is a violation of state statute to move leaves or brush to another property to burn.

Fire locations for leaf and brush piles greater than three feet in diameter or two feet in height must be at least 50 feet away from any structure or other combustible material. Fire locations for leaf and brush piles less than three feet in diameter and two feet in height must be at least 25 feet from any structure or other combustible material unless the fire is contained within an approved burning appliance or barrel which has a one-half inch wire mesh screen covering the entire opening and such container or barrel is located not less than 15 feet from any structure or other combustible material.

Residents are reminded no burning is allowed during times of wind speeds 15 miles per hour or greater. In addition, the fire department may ban open burning if weather conditions turn hot, dry, and windy. Should this be the case, notification will appear online here.

Whenever a permit holder questions whether or not it is safe to burn on a particular day, they should call 308-389-0220 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday or afterhours and on weekends 308-379-9912.

In addition, burns are not permitted in public ways, city right-of-ways, and alleys. Open fires should constantly be attended by an adult until the fire is extinguished. A water supply or other extinguishing equipment is to be readily available for use.

The burn period is scheduled twice a year; beginning on the third Sunday in April and running for a 14 day period and then again on the second Sunday in October and running for a 14 day period.

City Code 16-11 states further details about open burning and can be found here, or residents can contact the Grand Island Fire Department at city hall at 308-385-5450 or any of the four fire stations. A brochure is also available online here.

The fire department reminds residents the transfer station accepts leaves, tree limbs and tree branches at no cost; therefore the fire department recommends this means of yard clean up over the use of fires.

For more information about the open burn period call 308-385-5444 ext. 220 or visit the GIFD Facebook page.