Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Fire Chief warns of burning regulations

It is not uncommon for residents of Gurdon to burn items outside their homes, according to Gurdon Fire Chief Robert Burns, but there are regulations residents should keep in mind before striking a match.

You cant burn garbage in the city, Burns said.

A city ordinance prohibits the burning of household garbage inside the city limits, but Burns said it is a common occurrence. The ordinance states that only items such as shrubs, limbs and grass can be burned. Paper can only be burned if it is used as kindling to start the pile.

Another stipulation specified in the ordinance is that no burning can take place at night or within 25 feet of a structure or any other flammable material. There also can be no burning near the street or sidewalks. All fires must also be within 10 feet of a water source in case things get out of hand, Burns said.

Constant adult supervision is also a must.

Burns said that although he doesnt know of anyone ever getting fined for violating the ordinance, a fine of $100-500 is provided for.

Despite the fact that there has been rainfall in recent days, Burns said the precautions in the ordinance need to be followed to keep outdoor fires from spreading out of control.

With these temperatures, things are going to dry up pretty quick, he said.

Burns offered a few tips to those planning to set a fire on their property:

- make sure it is not a windy day;

- clear the area around the fire pile; and have a water supply handy.

The most important tip, Burns said, is to use common sense.

Summertime fires are often a problem for the Gurdon Fire Department. Burns said the department was called to 27 fires in one quarter last year. Most of those fires were brush fires that had gotten out of hand.

Clark County was placed under two burn bans in 2006. No such bans have been called for so far this year.