Burn permits extended

The period for which to apply for a burn permit has been extended until June 15 according to Robert Derleth with the Superior Ranger District.

The authority to issue burn permits comes from the state, but as there is no state office in Mineral County, the state gives the authority to the district. Derleth said they serve as "fire wardens" issuing the permits in a cooperative agreement.

Derleth said that permits are usually issued from May 1 through May 31 as it is typically rainy throughout the month. He said that the basis for extending the permits is based on how the weather is behaving and weather predictions. As they have looked at the predictions for June, they have found that it will be rainy through mid-June, hence the extension.

"The weather in June can vary; some years it will stop raining right now or rain through the month of June," Derleth said. "But based on weather and the mostly the predicted weather we decided to extend them through June 15."

Derleth said that right before the expiration of the newly extended issuing time they will again look at the weather and predicted weather patterns to see if they should extend them again. However, Derleth said that they will cut off on issuing permits no later than June 30. He said that they do this because they will have their hands full with the Fourth of July holiday and don't want to have to worry about both the fireworks and people burning. However, Derleth said that giving people time to allow to burn is important to them and that they are glad they were able to grant the extension until mid-June.

"We want to give people the opportunity to burn as long as they can," Derleth said. "We feel it is a good for people to be able to clean up their property."

Derleth said that people are mostly burning limbs and trees that have fallen in their yards and dead trees that are on their property. Others will also burn cardboard and paper.

The following safety factors should be considered when burning: burn in small piles so the fire will be hot but manageable; wait until it rains or snows; wet the area down around the piles; clear the area around the pile of dry flammable material and have bare soil within several feet; build the piles in openings away from overhead branches, wires and structures; keep water and tools close by, be ready in case of unexpected changes in the fire; check the weather forecast for unexpected changes; don't burn when windy; check the air quality hotline at 1-800-225-6779 for restrictions in your air shed (air shed #2 is west of Superior and air shed #3A is east of Superior).

Burning is only one way to dispose of your debris and reduce fuels. Please consider recycling your paper and cardboard and composting your needles, small limbs and grass clippings. Doing so is safer and more considerate of your neighbors. Burn only natural vegetation and woody materials. State law prohibits the burning of animal droppings, garbage, dead animals, tires, oil or any other toxic material.

Derleth said that to obtain a permit residents can visit the station located in Superior or call the burn permit telephone line 822-3933 and give the information that is asked for and the permit will be mailed to you.