HomeMy WebLinkAbout202.006a - Burn Permits
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
202.006a BURN PERMITS
EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 2007
Current Revision Date: 01/13/22 Next Revision Date: 03/14/25
Author’s Name/Rank: Ted Semonious, Deputy Chief Review Level: 1
Administrative Support:
Evelyn Yin-Zepeda,
Management Analyst II ADA
PURPOSE
This policy is established to provide direction to the public in the process of obtaining,
and the associated field inspection, of a burn permit.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to members of the public wishing to obtain an agricultural burn
permit.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
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OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
The Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) Prevention and Support Services
Division (Prevention Division) issues burn permits for agricultural burning within the
City of Fresno (City) limits, in accordance with the requirements and procedures set
forth below.
Upon issuing a burn permit, the Department’s Prevention Division is to advise the
individual conducting the burn of the following requirements:
1. A controlled burn can only be accomplished on designated burn days.
2. The communications center is to be notified prior to ignition.
3. The individual should have the permit readily available and present it to any
authorized member of the Department or officer of the San Joaquin Valley Air
Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD or District).
Section 202.006a
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An annual burn permit may be issued for large agricultural operations that require
frequent burning. Annual burn permits expire on December 31 of each year.
Consult the Fire Marshal for proposed burning other than outlined in this section. If
the Department’s Prevention Division office is closed, questions regarding burn
permits may be directed to the answering investigator.
PROCESS
The following procedures must be completed by an individual desiring to conduct an
agricultural burn, prior to contacting the Department’s Prevention Division.
1. Contact the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District for approval.
a. The District will determine if the proposed burn is permitted under its
rules and regulations.
b. If the District approves the proposed burn, a Notice of Exception will be
issued, in writing, to the applicant.
2. The applicant must present the Notice of Exception to the Department’s
Prevention Division upon applying for a burn permit.
a. In unusual circumstances, the Fire Marshal may accept approval from
the District by telephone. This approval must be followed up in writing.
b. A Notice of Exception is not required in order to burn Russian thistle
(tumbleweeds); however, all other rules and regulations apply.
The Operations Division assists in the permit process by conducting the required field
inspections.
1. The Department’s Prevention Division is to notify, by telephone, the fire station
in the area of the proposed burn.
2. The station conducts a field inspection to determine if the proposed burn can
be accomplished safely.
a. Check for exposures
b. Check for suitable means of control and final extinguishment
c. Check for any other hazards that may be created by the proposed burn
(traffic hazards, smoke damage, etc.)
3. The field inspection should be conducted during the shift assigned or no later
than 1600 hours the following day.
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4. The results of the field inspection are to be telephoned to the Department’s
Prevention Division by the company officer of the unit making the inspection.
INFORMATION
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DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
No cross-references recognized.
Section 202.006a
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