SEDONA (September 19, 2011) – 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 starting Monday, September 26, 2011.  

Permits are required for any open burning within the fire district, and are currently available at no charge at the SFD’s business office at 2860 Southwest Drive in West Sedona between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

As of September 12, 2011, SFD implemented new business hours of 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Offices are closed on Fridays.

The final date for burning with a permit is scheduled for Saturday, December 3, 2011. As always, when burning, extreme caution must be used. 

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 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. Open burning will not be allowed on days with windspeeds that exceed ten miles per hour. Permit holders are required to telephone SFD prior to starting a burn, and will be advised if the permits have been cancelled due to weather for that day.   

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 also available on the Sedona Fire District website www.sedonafire.org. Residents may 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 spelled out on the permit.  

Here are some steps that can be taken to protect homes from potential wildfires:

• Reduce flammable vegetation, trees, and brush around your home.
• Remove dead trees and prune low-hanging branches.
• Cut grass and weeds regularly.
• Relocate wood piles and leftover building materials away from structures.
• Keep your roof and yard clean of pine needles, leaves and debris. 

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

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