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Home My WebLink AboutBurn Regulation workshop 4-1-2024 finalBurn Regulation workshop Held with Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners April1, 2024 Phil Cecere -Jefferson County Fire Marshal-Building Official Brian Tracer - Assistant Chief East Jefferson Fire Rescue Don Svetich – Deputy Chief Quilcene Fire rescue (Ret) 1 Goal for today: Discuss update for burn regulations for public consumption and clarity Previous made efforts has required a huge lift from our partners in professional fire prevention and response. It is now necessary to build on that foundation and improve gaps and increase public safety and education The National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) is a system that allows fire managers to estimate today's or tomorrow's fire danger for a given area. 2 Burn Restrictions are categorized in to 5 risk levels of increasing severity Stage 1 Low risk level Burn restrictions categorized as GREEN All lawful burning allowed. Olympic Region Clean Air Agency ORCCA to be observed. Stage 2 Moderate risk level burn restrictions Categorized as BLUE Restricted Outdoor Fires. No person shall build, ignite, or maintain any outdoor fire of any kind or character, or for any purpose whatsoever. Exception: no permit will be required for outdoor fires on private residential premises or designated campsites where such fires may be built in a permanent barbecue, portable barbecue, outdoor fireplace, or grill. (Recreational burn) THIS WOULD BE THE STAGE THAT AN ANNUAL BURN RESTRICTION WOULD OCCUR - MORE LATER IN THIS PRESENTATION 3 Stage 3 High Risk level burn restrictions Categorized as YELLOW Recreational burning (campfires) restricted Exception: State and Federal campgrounds – State and Federally protected public lands Use of charcoal briquettes and open wood cooking fires is prohibited This would be the level that fireworks would be restricted: Limits on the manufacture, sale, transportation, discharge, storage or use of fireworks is prohibited during a declaration of high fire hazard. Except as permitted in this chapter, the discharge, manufacture, sale, storage, or transportation of fireworks is prohibited during a declaration of high fire hazard 4 Stage 4 Very High-Level Burn Restrictions Categorized as ORANGE No outdoor fires and/or outdoor open flame devices, except as allowed by written permit or approval from the Fire Marshal. Permits are not required for use of the following: (1) commercially made listed/labeled propane grill devices located and used at a residence; and (2) stoves or fireplace fires completely contained within a residence. Stage 5 Extreme Level Burn Restrictions Categorized as RED No Outdoor Fire, Burning, or Discharge of Any kind or Type Commonly referred to as a BAN 5 OUTDOOR BURNING PERMIT PROGRAM / REQUIRMENTS – WAC 173-425-060 Types of burning that require a permit. Except as otherwise stated, a permit is required for the following types of outdoor burning in all areas of the state under the jurisdiction of this chapter: (2) Types of burning that require a permit. Except as otherwise stated, a permit is required for the following types of outdoor burning in all areas of the state under the jurisdiction of this chapter: (h) Indian ceremonial fires (except on lands within the exterior boundaries of Indian reservations unless provided for by intergovernmental agreement); (RCW 70.94.651(2)) Recreational fires with a total fuel area that is greater than three feet in diameter and/or two feet in height (except in the nonurban areas of counties with an unincorporated population of less than fifty thousand; and (RCW 70.94.765) This is a partial list, highlighting some repeat questions that have been generated by the public in the last year 6 Example of a List of approved open flame devices Our list may differ 7 Proposal Beginning July 1 – September 30 of each year a County Wide Restriction of all Residential Burning and Land Clearing burning fires. The county-wide ban outdoor burn ban may be set in place prior to July 1 and extended beyond September 30. Goal to be repetitive and NOT require BOCC input for a resolution annually. This could occur 3 ways: Annual BOCC Resolution (current) Burn Board (possibility) Based upon consultation between the Fire Marshal, County Fire Chiefs, and in consideration of the current atmospheric and field conditions (current option for extension) 8 BOCC ANNUAL Resolution Pro Keeps commissioners current with issues Informs public with BoCC meetings Con Requires BoCC agenda item Takes time as meetings are only weekly and conditions change quickly 9 Create a burn board Pro Provides the most opportunity for public interaction Can assemble more quickly than BoCC Con Provides the most opportunity for public interaction Required to meet public meeting act Requires staff time and bandwidth Requires the BoCC to appoint members Still not the most expedient option 10 Fire Marshal Declaration Pro Can consult with fire chiefs and fire service partners Quickest decision with changing conditions Takes politics out of a decision based on facts and science Con Least amount of public interaction Requires exercising the most amount of discretion 11 Fire Works Our current code was implemented for the first time last summer (2023) First time roll out was a learning experience We can do better And here is one proposal as to how: 12 Keep current JCC 8.75 effective for Independence day 2024 Implement new burn regs in new JCC 8.72 could be a possible placement New language addressing fireworks would be effective before Independence day 2025 Applies to consumer grade Washington state approved legal fireworks NOT commercial grade fire works and NOT purchased from tribal reservations Already have an enforcement clause to fireworks or to all burn regulations with a leaning toward education prior to enforcement 8.75.080 Enforcement. (1) Particularly with the discharge of consumer fireworks in violation of this chapter, public awareness and voluntary compliance efforts should be used prior to enforcement under this chapter. 8.75.035 Publication of declaration of high fire hazard. The county fire marshal and each local fire official shall publish the declaration of high fire hazard in local media outlets for public review. [Ord. 3-22 § 1 (App. A)] Publication of any change in fire restriction level shall be published in local media outlets for review 13 Currently, we have a provision for a public display fireworks permit Jefferson County Fire Marshal (jcfm) has not previously been contacted for a permit. Note: section 3 requires a state license from Washington state fire marshal per RCW 8.75.050 Public display of fireworks in the county. (1) Public display of fireworks in unincorporated Jefferson County is prohibited, unless an application has been approved for any permit required under JCC 8.20.030 (entertainment, amusement or assemblies permit), JCC 18.20.380 (temporary outdoor use permit) or JCC 18.20.390 (temporary festival conditional use), after a consultation with local fire officials consistent with RCW 70.77.260 prior to approval. (2) A public display of fireworks shall be of such character, and so located, discharged or fired in a manner that is not hazardous to property or injurious to any person, as determined by either the fire marshal or a local fire official. (3) Every operator of a public display of fireworks shall first obtain a state license pursuant to RCW 70.77.355. [Ord. 3-22 § 1 (App. A)] Firework safe haven(s) who, how, what liability, what fire district? Logistics, staffing, equipment? 14 Short Term rental life safety inspections Initial inspection to establish short term rental (str) or transient rental, hospitality permit Inspection interval expected biennial (2years) Must be a legal dwelling (permitted) that has received a certificate of occupancy May or may not require inclusion in JCC 15 Sample Short term rental FAQ from Chelan County 16 17 Low Hanging fruit 5.10.010 Designated. All that portion of Jefferson County located outside of the corporate limits of any city or town is hereby designated as Fire Zone 3. [Ord. 2-74] Needs repealed as it is an antiquated UFC reference from 1974 county is now divided into fire districts and would not require a replacement ordinance 18 Questions 19