OPEN BURNING RULES CURRENTLY IN PLACE FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2014
Earlier this year, the Village requested input regarding the open burning of leaves in the Village. The feedback received from residents varied greatly. Many have strong feelings either in favor of or opposed to the open burning of leaves.
Staff is preparing to propose changes to the Village Board that will take both sides of the issue into consideration, in addition to budgetary impacts, air quality, and quality of life impacts. Staff is also planning improvements to leaf collection services while accounting for those who may have limited access to the service. It’s expected that any changes to the existing leaf collection schedule and the open burning of leaves would not take effect until 2015, as staff will need to budget and plan for any changes decided upon by the Village Board.
As leaves begin to fall, the Village would like to remind residents of the rules that are currently in place relating to Open Burning. The rules are intended to keep open burning safe and to help prevent it from becoming a nuisance to others.
In Pleasant Prairie, residents MAY NOT BURN: construction waste; solid waste; garbage or rubbish; any field, grassland or prairie (unless a controlled burn has been permitted by Pleasant Prairie Fire & Rescue); green or soft yard waste (including grass clippings); or commercial waste.
BURNING THAT IS CURRENTLY PERMITTED/ALLOWED
The following types of fires are permitted/allowed through the current ordinance:
• bonfires (a recreational fire larger than three feet in diameter or taller than three feet – with permit only)
• recreational fires (used for cooking or warmth in a fire ring or pit and three feet in diameter or smaller)
• outdoor cooking fires (grill, barbecue kettle or cooker designed expressly for cooking meals outside)
• controlled prairie fires (with permit only)
• dry yard waste (with a current permit from Pleasant Prairie Fire & Rescue)
• burning of dry leaves (without a permit) when the following conditions are met:
- if winds are less than 10 MPH
- if it is not too dry or too wet
- if it is not an ozone action day
- if it is not Trick or Treat day
- not within 15 feet of any property line
- not within 50 feet of any structure
- not upon or in any street, road, park, right-of-way, ditch or culvert
- not upon another person’s property without their consent
- provided the resulting smoke and odor does not result in discomfort, annoyance or danger to adjacent property owners or the traveling public
The Village Board and staff would like to thank those who abide by the open burning rules above. Thank you for considering your neighbors.