Sedona AZ (March 25, 2014) – To protect your home from potential wildfires as well as make spring yard cleanup easier, the Sedona Fire District (SFD) is issuing no-cost residential permits for burning. Permits are required for any open burning in 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., Monday through Thursday. The SFD business office is closed on Fridays.

The final date for burning with a permit is Saturday, June 7, 2014. With the potential for an early fire season, it is possible burn permits may be cut off before June 7. As always, extreme caution must be used during any open burn.

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 Monday through Saturday; no burning is allowed on Sundays or holidays.

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 prior to starting a burn, and will be advised if the permits have been cancelled for that day due to weather. A complete list of conditions for burning is outlined on the permit.

Construction materials, all plastic, brush larger than four inches in diameter, paper, cardboard, rubbish and garbage may not be burned. Yavapai County is presently offering residents free drop off for slash at various locations.

Smokey the Bear says only you can prevent wildfires!

The burn permit is also available on our website, www.sedonafire.org. You may download the burn permit, fill it out completely, sign it and fax it to 282-6857. The permit will be processed and faxed back.

With wildfire season almost here, are you prepared? Protecting your home from a wildfire starts with you. Creating a defensible space within 30 feet of your home can greatly reduce the risk of a wildfire. Don’t have 30 feet? Then start with the first 10 feet around your home! Tall, dry grasses provide a path for fire that can lead directly to your house. By removing tall dry grasses, leaves and pine needles from your roof and gutters; excess growth, dead leaves and branches decreases the flammability potential.

Prune tree limbs so the lowest is between 6’-10’ from the ground to reduce “ladder fuels.”

For more information on what you can do to protect your home from potential wildfires or to schedule a free Firewise assessment of your property, contact the Sedona Fire District at 928-282-6800 or the fire district nearest to your home.

This SedonaEye.com article written and submitted by Gary Johnson, Sedona Fire District Fire Marshal.

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