Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Council to consider ban on leaf burning

While council members have as yet made no public announcement of their intentions, the Prescott City Council is set to consider an ordinance that would ban the burning of leaves in the city limits.

The subject was brought to the attention of the council by Councilman Howard Austin during the December meeting. Austin said constituents in his district had requested that the council address the issue. Austin cited a day when smoke hung in the air around the city from several leaf fires.

During the January meeting, council members were presented an ordinance for consideration. The council took no action toward adoption of that ordinance, but briefly discussed several points.

Alene Spencer addressed the council with a request to adopt the ban. Spencer cited her asthma and bronchial problems and said the smoke from leaf fires is a personal health issue. Spencer said that closing doors and windows and even the use of an air purifier isnt always enough to combat the problem.

And there are a lot of people in town having bronchial trouble, Spencer said. When you get ready to vote, you think about me and think about your loved ones.

Council members talked about the proposed ordinance which states, in part: It shall be unlawful to burn leaves anywhere in the city except in a furnace or incinerator approved by the city fire chief.

The proposed ordinance goes on to prohibit fires in close proximity to any structure, any property line ... Council members questioned the definition of close proximity, and the Prescott City Attorney indicated that it would be up to the council to determine those specifics. He also indicated that the wording of the ordinance would depend on how stringent the council wanted it to be.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said the city has a machine that will pick up leaves, but said it cant be used when the leaves are wet. Taylor said some people apparently arent willing to use the service.

You have some people, three leaves hit the ground and they set it on fire, Taylor said.

Another point of the proposed ordinance is the prohibition of burning vegetation. Councilman James Cornelius said there are some property owners who depend on burning to clear areas.

The proposed ordinance includes a penalty, calling for a fine of not less than $25 and no more than $100 for each offense plus court costs.

No action was taken on the ordinance during the January meeting, giving council members time to consider the specific points of the ordinance.