HomeMy WebLinkAboutBurn Regulation workshop 5-6-2024Burn Regulation workshop
Held with Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners
May 6, 2024
Phil Cecere -Jefferson County Fire Marshal-Building Official
Bret Black- Chief East Jefferson Fire Rescue
Don Svetich – Deputy Chief Quilcene Fire rescue (Ret)
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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
Who has the authority to set burn restriction levels?
What to do about recurring annual Burn restriction?
Set an annual burn restriction season?
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burn regulations for Clarity of public understanding
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.
Adoption of this type of “Smokey bear” type model is widely recognized and easily understood
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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
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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
Use of approved open flame devices only: List to be complied and posted on county and fire district websites
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
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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
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Can we have a ceremonial fire?
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))
What is a recreational fire (campfire)?
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)
What appliances can I use for cooking or lighting?
Approved open flame device list and burn restriction level set the correct use of devices.
This is a partial list, highlighting some repeat questions that have been generated by the public in the last year
Public FAQs
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Example of a List of approved open flame devices
Our list may differ
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New Code Language
New Violation and Penalties section- recovery of costs incurred
New Enforcement section- Sheriff or sheriff designee has the discretion to enforce this chapter-possible sheriff can deputize Fire Marshal staff similar to current code enforcement staff
Example of new code language:
Authority of County Fire Marshal and Local Fire Officials to Order Extinguishment of Hazardous Open Burning. Consistent with IFC Section 307.3, where open burning creates or adds a
hazardous situation, the county fire marshal or a local fire official may order the extinguishment of the open burning operation
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
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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.
Define who has authority to change the fire danger levels and the corresponding burn restriction level.
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)
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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
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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
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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
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Fire Works
Our current code was implemented for the first time last summer (2023)
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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
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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)]
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Topics to discuss
Firework safe haven(s) who, how, what liability, what fire district? Logistics, staffing, equipment?
Firework discharge date limits beyond state minimums
Currently June 28 -July 5
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Questions
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