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Department of Ecology News Release - October 1, 2002
02-182
YAKIMA - The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is reminding farmers they may need a permit before they can burn vegetation, orchard debris or wheat stubble on their land.
Ecology staff will help farmers and developers explore alternatives to burning, including chipping, shredding or grinding.
"With our growing populations, it just makes sense to find other ways to manage land-clearing debris and vegetation," explained Sue Billings, a manager with Ecology's air-quality program in Yakima. "Weather patterns also make it more difficult to give the OK to burn, prompting many to look for other solutions."
Those who do wish to burn commercial crop residue, such as wheat fields, fruit trees and tear-out debris, should apply early for an agricultural burning permit. Information about the burning permits is available online at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/airhome.html, then click on "agricultural burning."
Land-clearing permits are required before trees and vegetation can be burned on non-farmland developments. Permits are available either locally or through Ecology. Land-clearing fires are prohibited in communities of more than 10,000 people.
For burn-permit applications and specific information on these programs, call:
Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, public information manager, (509) 575-2610
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
