And in Case You Wondered What the Leaf Burning Guidelines Are...

As the leaves start to fall, people in the community will begin fall cleanup of their yards.  The Effingham Fire Department would like to remind the citizens of the open burn regulations for the city of Effingham. 

• The open burning of landscape waste is allowed between 8:00am and 6:00pm
• It is unlawful to burn garbage of any kind at any time in the City
• It is unlawful to burn papers, paper goods, cardboard and other rubbish of any kind anywhere in the City except in an incinerator approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
• It is unlawful to allow landscape waste to smolder anywhere in the City at any time.  Smolder is defined as “To burn sluggishly, without flame and often with much smoke”
• Landscape waste is defined as “any vegetable or plants refuse, except garbage and agricultural waste.  The term includes trees, tree trimmings, branches, stumps, brush, weeds, leaves, shrubbery and yard trimmings.
• NOTICE:  GRASS IS NOT INCLUDED BY DEFINITION AND THEREFORE IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE OPEN BURNED
• On-site open burning is the burning of landscape waste generated from the same lot, property or tract of land in which it is being burned on.  On-site open burning does not require a permit from the Fire Department provided that the landscape waste has been properly piled away from any structure, attended by a responsible person, the open burning is done in such a way as to not create a hazard on roadways, railroad tracks and air fields and that the fire is not allowed to smolder.
• Off-site open burning is the burning of landscape waste generated from one site and moved to another site for burning.  Off-site open burning does require a permit from the Fire Department.  For further information on off-site burning permits contact the Fire Department at 342-2555.
• Burn off is defined as “To cause or allow the burning of landscape waste or vegetation on site without proper collecting, piling and attending of such burning”.  Burn off is allowed provided that the property owner receives a permit from the Fire Department.  For further information on burn off permits contact the Fire Department at 342-2555.
• The open burning regulations do not prohibit the burning of fuels for legitimate campfire, recreational and cooking purposes or in domestic fireplaces in areas where such burning is consistent with other laws;  provided that no garbage shall be burned in such cases.

For questions regarding the Open Burning Regulations Ordinance No. 65-98 please contact the Effingham Fire Department at (217) 342-2555.

As well, HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital has alternatives to burning they've shared with us. See that information here.