SEDONA AZ  (September 17, 2012) – To protect your home from potential wildfires and make fall yard cleanup easier, the Sedona Fire District (SFD) is issuing no-cost residential burn permits beginning Monday, September 17, 2012. The final date for burning with a permit is Saturday, December 1, 2012.

As always, extreme caution must be used.

Permits are required for any open burning within the fire district and are currently available at the Sedona Fire District’s business office, 2860 Southwest Drive in west Sedona, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

The SFD business office is closed on Fridays.

Open burning, under specific guidelines as described on the permit, will be allowed to start no earlier than one hour after sunrise with the fire being extinguished no later than two hours before sunset. The fire must be dead out by the end of the burning time.

Burning will be allowed on Monday through Saturday; no burning is allowed on Sundays.

Weather conditions will dictate if open burning will be allowed on a day-by-day basis. Any time winds exceed ten miles an hour, open burning will not be allowed.

Permit holders are required to telephone SFD at 928-282-7101 prior to starting a burn. During that call, Permit holders will be advised if the permits have been cancelled due to the day’s weather.

Construction materials, all plastic material, brush larger than four inches in diameter, paper, cardboard, rubbish and garbage may not be burned.

The burn permit is available on the Sedona Fire District website at www.sedonafire.org. Download the burn permit, fill it out completely, sign it and fax it to 928-282-6857. The permit will be processed and faxed back. A complete list of conditions for burning is printed on the permit.

Here are steps you should take to protect your home from potential wildfires:

1. Reduce flammable vegetation, trees, and brush around your home.

2. Remove dead trees and prune low-hanging branches.

3. Cut grass and weeds regularly.

4. Relocate wood piles and leftover building materials away from structures.

5. Keep your roof and yard clean of pine needles, leaves and debris.

To schedule a no-cost wildfire assessment of your property and for more information, contact the Sedona Fire District at 928-282-6800 today.

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