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Wisconsin to now offer single, season long burning permits
Weekly News Article Published: January 29, 2008 by the Central Office
MADISON - Landowners in all areas of Wisconsin where the Department of Natural Resources has primary responsibility for wildfire protection and suppression will now be able to apply for a single, no-cost, season-long, outdoor burning permit.
In the past, homeowners using burn barrels were required to apply for an annual permit for their burn barrel and separate three-day permits for burning brush in piles. At this time of year, burning permits are required anytime the ground is not snow-covered in areas protected by the DNR firefighters.
“This new permit system offers a couple of real improvements,” said Trent Marty, chief of DNR forest protection services. “Our goal was to make it more efficient in obtaining a permit and easier to check local fire danger conditions prior to burning. By accomplishing those things we expect to reduce the number of wildfires. And permits are good for an entire calendar year so folks only have to make one trip to their emergency fire warden, ranger station or DNR office.”
Where to call/go online for daily burning information
Customers can use either a toll-free phone number or go on the Internet to find out if burning is permitted on any given day or if there are any special burning restrictions for the day:
- Call 1-888-WIS-BURN (947-2876).
- On the forestry pages of the DNR Web site click on “view burning permit restrictions.”
Updates will be posted by 11 a.m. each day. Instructions will tell the permit holder if they can burn today in their county and, if fire danger conditions allow outdoor burning, whether or not there are any restrictions on burning such as limiting burning to certain hours of the day.
Permit holders are required to have their permit available upon request and are still responsible for their fire and any damage it may cause.
Burning some materials prohibited under Wisconsin law
“This new system isn’t meant to encourage burning,” says Marty. “We encourage landowners to recycle paper and cardboard, to compost leaves and either chip brush or use it as wildlife habitat, and to properly dispose of materials that should not be burned.”
Burning clean untreated and unpainted wood, clean unrecyclable paper or cardboard, dry leaves, plant clippings and brush is generally allowed unless a local ordinance prohibits, but Wisconsin law prohibits anyone from burning the following materials:
- Wet, combustible rubbish, such as wet cardboard or paper.
- Oily substances, such as oily or greasy rags, oil filters, etc.
- Asphalt, such as asphalt shingles or tar paper.
- Plastics of any kind, including plastic bottles and plastic bags.
- Rubber products, including tires and hoses.
Permit system was piloted in northern Wisconsin in 2007
The new permit system was tested in several northeastern Wisconsin counties in 2007 and worked well. Customer feedback was positive and officials feel that the convenience promotes a higher level of compliance with outdoor burning rules and safety concerns.
The potential for loss of homes and other property due to wildfire is increasing say officials as more homes and second homes are established outside of communities or close to what foresters call the “wildland-urban” interface.
At the time permits are issued permit holders will be given a set of written guidelines for using the new permit and have their questions answered.
Marty added that special permits, such as those issued to contractors for land clearing, prescribed burning and other special circumstances will continue to be issued directly by DNR fire control staff on a case by case basis as in the past.
Fire control officials also stress the following:
- Permit holders must have a written and signed annual permit available while burning.
- Fires must be attended at all times and completely extinguished before you leave.
- Permit holders must also comply with local ordinances that may be more restrictive than state law.
- Permit holders must follow all restrictions listed on the permit.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Regan - (608) 219-9075 or (608) 266-2359
View all articles in this issue or check our previous Weekly News Issues.
