Burn Permits - It's All About Community Safety

Reno County, Kansas - April 9, 2024

The Reno County Emergency Management Department and the 911 Communications Center want to share with the public that getting required burn permits is about keeping your community safe.

"Getting a required burn permit is not a punishment, it's about making sure you are helping to keep your neighbor and your community safe when open or agricultural burns are conducted," said Kevin Irwin, Director of Hutchinson-Reno County Emergency Communications Department. Small firepits or recreational fires are exempt from the burn permit process.

Getting a free required burn permit is as easy as going to www.renogov.org/controlledburn and registering your information. Fill in the address for each parcel of land that could be part of an intended burn. The permits are valid until Dec. 31^st and have to be reapplied for each year. You will receive your burn permit number in an email.

At least 30 minutes before starting a controlled burn, call the 911 Communications Center at
620-694-2800, with this information organized and ready to give to the dispatcher:

1. Name, address and telephone number of the responsible party.
2. Location(s) and circumstances of the proposed burn(s).
3. Burn permit number.

Dispatchers advise callers based on information from the Grassland Fire Index and predicted wind speeds each day. The 911 Communications Center dispatcher cannot help people to obtain a burn permit. Residents can call the Reno County Emergency Management Office at 620-694-2793 during regular business hours for assistance.

Failure to provide prior notification of the intent to burn constitutes a violation of the Reno County Burn Resolution 2023-03 and subjects the violator to penalties upon conviction. See details about burning regulations at www.renogov.org/DocumentCenter/View/10937/2023-03-Open-Burning-Resolution-Rescinding-2017-12