Burn Permits and Open Burning Guidelines for Chaffee County
REMINDER: NEVER BURN DURING HIGH WINDS OR RED FLAG WARNINGS
These guidelines are intended to promote safe, responsible burning practices and ensure compliance with local and state regulations. For questions about burn permits or safe burning practices, contact the South Arkansas Fire Protection District directly at 719-539-2212.
All open burning requires prior approval and must follow the standards outlined below:
- Maximum Size: Burn piles shall not exceed 8 feet × 8 feet × 8 feet unless specifically approved.
- Prohibited Materials: Stumps and dirt-laden materials are not permitted.
- Fuel Composition: Large fuels (heavy logs or oversized materials) may not exceed 30% of the total pile volume.
- Curing Requirement: Piles should be cured for one (1) year prior to burning unless otherwise authorized.
Proper pile construction improves combustion efficiency, reduces smoke impacts, and enhances safety.
- Burning is permitted during daylight hours only.
- No ignition before sunrise.
May 1 – September 30:
- All burns must be fully extinguished by 12:00 PM (noon).
October 1 – April 30:
- All burns must be fully extinguished by 2:00 PM.
Snow Cover Exception
When the ground is continuously covered by at least six (6) inches of snow, open burning may be permitted outside standard time restrictions, subject to approval by the Fire Chief or Fire Warden.
- Pile burns must be at least 50 feet from structures.
- Pile burns must be at least 25 feet from property lines, unless written consent is obtained from the adjoining property owner.
For agricultural ditch burning, where these setbacks are impractical due to proximity to structures or property lines, the Fire Chief or Fire Warden may grant a variance with additional required safety measures.
For large-scale or complex burn operations, a detailed burn plan is required and must include:
- Project description
- Site map
- Fuel description
- Weather and smoke parameters
- Ignition plan
- Control plan
- Mop-up plan
- Contingency plan
- Personnel qualifications
- Notification plan
A Certified Burner or NWCG Burn Boss must supervise the operation. Required state smoke permits must be attached to the burn plan.
APCD Smoke Permits are required for:
- Broadcast burns
- Pile burning exceeding 50 piles per day
- Multi-day burn operations
- Burns where smoke may impact roads, schools, hospitals, populated areas, or high-use recreation areas
- Prescribed fires conducted by governmental agencies
Agricultural burning conducted pursuant to C.R.S. § 25-7-123 is exempt from APCD smoke permit requirements.
Compliance with these guidelines helps protect public safety, air quality, and property. Always confirm current conditions and obtain proper authorization before conducting any open burn.
For more information visit CDPHE
