City Outlines New Open Burning Policy

The City of Effingham has announced new open burning guidelines after the City Council voted Tuesday night to restrict when burning can take place.

The City has imposed a "no burn" policy within the corporate limits of the City of Effingham on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, effective immediately.

City Administrator Jim Arndt said the police department and fire department will be "gently reminding and nudging" citizens as necessary and appropriate during the immediate transition.

Recurring infractions will be dealt with by the standard fine as defined in the City Ordinance. A fine can be no less than $50, but no more than $750 per occurrence. Each incident or each day is considered a separate occurrence. The fines will increase with the number of occurrences.

Arndt said the City desires to manage leaf burning in order to help citizens who have expressed concerns that open burning is problematic to their health.