By MATT PIKE
As people begin to clean up their yards in the fall, St. Joseph residents will be able to burn dry yard waste within city limits throughout the month of November as Open Burning reopens.
Residents who choose to burn must follow city regulations to help prevent fires, protect neighboring properties and keep the community safe.
- Fires are allowed only between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and must be in an upright container no larger than 55 gallons (a drum-size container constructed of wire mesh is permissible).
- Only one burn container per residence is allowed.
- Only yard waste such as leaves, brush and logs may be burned. Trash, paper, lumber and building debris can’t be burned.
- Someone must stay right by the fire at all times and be able to put it out if needed.
- Firefighting materials like a garden hose or a container of water must be on site, and fires must be at least 15 feet from any building.
Open burning will be temporarily banned if weather conditions, such as high winds, are effecting the area. The fire department will respond to open burning call as non-emergency unless a fire involves or threatens a structure. Residents are encouraged to consider alternatives to burning, such as mowing leaves into fine particles fertilizes your lawn, composting creates nutrient-rich soil for gardens, and chipping larger brush provides excellent mulch for trees and shrubs.
Open Burning happens only during the approved months of April and November. The open burning period will not be extended for weather-related blackout days.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.