The Snyder Fire Department has been called out to many fires over the past few weeks only to learn they were responding to a controlled burn.
The county is not under a burn ban and many farmers and ranchers have taken advantage of that by burning debris. However, Snyder Deputy Fire Marshal Nathan Hines said many times people will call the law enforcement center to report seeing flames. In many cases it was a controlled burn that was not called in to the fire department.
“It is best to call us at the fire department first,” Hines said. “We will let the law enforcement center know about it as well.”
The fire department phone number is 573-6215.
Hines said that burning inside the Snyder city limits is illegal.
He said residents have other options to rid their home of debris, including recycling, composting, mulching or taking it to the landfill.
Hines also said people conducting a controlled burn should not burn electrical insulation, tires, treated lumber, heavy oils or asphalt materials or potentially explosive materials or chemicals.
He also said that when the National Weather Service issues a red flag or high wind warning, outdoor burning should not be conducted.
There is also a time of day set aside for outdoor burning, according to state law. Burning may not commence earlier than one hour after sunrise and shall be completed on the same day not later than one hour before sunset. The law also states that someone must be present at all times during the burn.
One other little known part of the law is that if a burn causes smoke to blow onto or across a roadway, it is the person’s responsibility to post a flag person on the road to assist motorists.
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