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Jefferson County schedules May 5 public hearing on proposed burn ordinance
Summary
County fire/dispatch staff told the board the proposed ordinance would require residents to notify dispatch before controlled burns, with heavier penalties during burn bans; the board set a public hearing for May 5 at 09:00.
Fire and dispatch personnel outlined a proposed county burn ordinance that would require residents to notify dispatch before conducting controlled burns such as structure training burns, agricultural burns or prescribed timber burns. The requirement is intended to reduce unnecessary fire department responses to burns that are under control.
A representative explained the ordinance would also impose stiffer penalties for failing to notify during declared burn bans or red‑flag conditions and would require someone to remain on site until the burn is out. "If you're gonna burn, all we're asking is that you call ahead of time and let dispatch know what you're burning," the speaker said. The board set a public hearing for May 5 at 09:00 and will consider the ordinance formally after that hearing.
The presenter said the county is one of the few local jurisdictions without a formal notification requirement and that the change would place responsibility on the person conducting the burn rather than on dispatch or volunteer fire responders.
