For the first time in years, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District is allowing open burning in the Winter.

Residents in unincorporated Washoe County that meet the property size guidelines can burn yard waste during the first week of the month, weather permitting. So far this year, the weather has been a bit of an issue.

"In January, we were only able to open up two days of open burning due to high winds," said Adam Mayberry with Truckee Meadows Fire.

The same thing happened this month; wind conditions the first three days of February made it unsafe to burn. So Truckee Meadows Fire is extending the burn window through Sunday, February 9, to help residents get rid of some of their yard debris.

"We're talking about green waste, dry grasses, tree limbs, dead vegetation," Mayberry said. "We're not pile burning trash or plastic or hazardous debris. Pile burning is really intended to allow people on large lots to prepare for fire season and create some defensible space by getting rid of that debris."

The first thing to do is check the burn code on the Truckee Meadows Fire homepage. From there, if the code is green, you can get a burn permit online as well.

"The form is online and the whole process will take you two minutes," Mayberry said. "You will be approved or denied as soon as you submit the application."

If you are approved and get a permit, he recommends some safety precautions; conditions are still very dry and winds can pick up quickly.

"We always encourage you to keep piles small, keep water nearby, as well as hand tools in the event that fire gets out of control," Mayberry said. "The burn period starts at sunrise and we usually cut it off by early afternoon. Burning is not a right, it's a privilege, so follow the instructions and be mindful and vigilant when you're pile burning. Keep an eye on the weather; if the wind picks up more than ten miles an hour, it's a good idea to discontinue burning immediately."

 

Check the burn code: https://www.washoecounty.us/tmfpd/

Open Burning Permits: https://www.washoecounty.us/tmfpd/fire-prevention/open-burning.php