Monday, August 18, 2008

County to Allow Open Burning in Areas with Reduced Wildfire Risk

FLORENCE, AZ – Pinal County Air Quality has resumed issuing open burning permits in portions of Pinal County.  The ban originally went into effect in late April to mitigate the risk of wildfire.  Recent rains and higher humidity levels have reduced the fire risk in many areas.  

 

The ban on open burning will remain in effect where local fire departments still regard open fires as a threat, including the Apache Junction, Oracle and Queen Valley Fire Districts.  

 

State law prohibits open burning in the portion of north central Pinal County that includes Apache Junction, Queen Creek, Gold Canyon and the Johnson Ranch area.  This region is affected by more stringent air quality regulations that prohibit open burning until after October 1.

 

Applications for burn permits are posted on the Air Quality Division's website at http://www.pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/AirQuality/Documents/AQForms/BURN-APP.PDF.

 

Additional information on the Pinal County Air Quality program can be found at www.pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/AirQuality/ or by calling the Pinal County Air Quality Division at 520-866-6929.