Coos Forest Protective Association

CFPA Home Page

New Restrictions in CFPA

Many of our customers will receive or have received letters from Coos Forest Protective Association explaining the new restriction.  We have posted links below othat give explanations and alternatives to burning. This new "No Burning During Fire Season" restriction begins this 2012 fire season. (approximately mid-June through mid-October).

See explanations, definitions, and FAQ's below.

More information will follow as it becomes available. Keep checking our website for updates. 

Burn Restriction Letter

Cover Letter for Flyer

Burning Alternatives Flyer

Radio Spot

TV Commercial

KCBY People at Noon #1

KCBY People at Noon #2

Spring Clean Up - News Release

 Explanations

For more clarification on the reasons for this policy change that are addressed in the letter:

 Alignment with neighboring districts    

    our current program conflicted with our local cities and Rural Fire Departments

    all other districts surrounding CFPA have discontinued the burn permit program years ago 

More efficient fire operations

    allows for more efficient training and fire readiness 

Stop the burning of illegal materials

    will reduce the number of people burning items that have been marked as prohibited materials by DEQ

Create uniform enforcement among fire protection districts

    consistent message between agencies and the public

Public and Fire Fighter safety

    limit employee exposure time by alleviating the need to respond to burns that were permitted burns 

    limit exposure time responding to illegal burns - burns with prohibited items burning or burns that were not permitted

    less exposure to the public due to responding emergency vehicles 

Definitions

Closed Fire Season - the time of year fire protection district restrict burning, implement industrial closures and public restrictions due to high fire danger. Sometimes referred to as just fire season.

Out of a closed fire season - the time of year when fire danger is low, and closures and restrictions are lifted.

Burn Permit - a document that is signed and administered to individuals granting permission to burn.

Incinerator - a device sometimes called a burn barrel for burning paper products.

FAQ

Does this include burn barrels? Yes, no permits will be issued for "burn barrels"

Is this restriction only during "Fire Season"? Yes

Can we burn when it is not "Fire Season"? That depends on what you are burning, burn permits are not required in our protection district out of a closed "Fire Season" for paper products and / or standard yard debris. You may still need a DEQ permit or a Smoke Management Permit out of "Fire Season"

Will my campfire site on my property still have to get approval? We will continue to inspect campfire sites. Call your nearest office for more information.

Will I be able to use my campfire site on my property? Upon approval from a forest warden, yes, but the approval will also be dependent upon the type of "Fire Season" we are experiencing. Keep in mind that the approval does not grant permission to burn paper products and/or yard debris, campfire sites are for firewood only.

I have a burn permit that is still valid until 12/31/2012 will I still be able to burn during "Fire Season"? No, any "burn barrel" permit with a 2012 expiration date will be void.

How do I report someone that is burning anyway? Out of a closed "Fire Season" the public is able to burn approved burning materials ( yard debris, papers, cardboard), during a closed "Fire Season" call our office we will investigate the complaint.

When is "Fire Season"? A closed "Fire Season" (the time you will not be able to burn) typically runs from mid-June to mid October, however it can begin before June and can extend after October, Fire Season is weather and indices driven. We will continue to post our signs throughout the district and have media releases.

Will this be ongoing (no permits during fire season)? Yes, this will be the standard every year from 2012.

What do I do with my garbage now? You will continue as you have with your garbage by either having it picked up or taking it to the dump. A permit has never been for the purpose of burning garbage. Paper products such as newspapers, junk mail, cereal boxes, gift wrapping, paper bags, cracker boxes, shipping boxes, basically anything made of paper can either be recycled by taking the paper products to a recycle center, or stock piled till fire season is over at which time you could burn again.

What should I do if there is an ordinance in place about stock piled garbage? The ordinance is in place to prevent problems in communities, however if you separate your paper products from your garbage to be dumped, then you are allowed to "stock pile" the paper products. Please call your local garbage service for more information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT BURN, YOU CAN ALWAYS CONTACT DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRNMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ) AT 541-269-2721