Crawford County Kansas Burning Guidelines

Guidelines for Open Burning in Unincorporated Areas of Crawford County Kansas.

For an Emergency Call: 911                                          Non-Emergency: (620) 724-8274

Crawford County Burn Hotline for Burn Condition Status: (620) 724-6270

It is the Desire of the Crawford County Commissioners, the Crawford County Firefighters Association and its Member Fire Departments that all open burning conducted within the county is done in a safe manner. These guidelines are an effort to inform anyone that is performing open outdoor burning of the proper procedures and safety practices that should be followed:

BURNING BANS

Enactment and Enforcement of Burning Restrictions (Burn Ban)

  • Should environmental or other conditions warrant the enactment of burning restrictions pursuant Crawford County, Kansas Resolution No. 2025-013 the Crawford County Emergency Manager and Crawford County Firefighters Association will issue burning restrictions (Burn Ban) this can be on a day to day basis or over a period of unspecified time.
  • Enactment of above Burning Restrictions will be executed for the unincorporated areas of Crawford County Kansas in it’s entirety and open outside burning SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED under any circumstances.
  • Burn Status is updated daily at 8:30am (0830hrs) and is available by calling the Crawford County Burn Hotline at (620) 724-6270.
  • Persons performing open burning in direct violation of burning restrictions will be subject to Citation and Fine.

OPEN BURNING (BURN BAN NOT IN EFFECT)

  • AGRICULTURAL BURNING (FIELDS, PASTURES, WOODED AREAS) – Prior to

commencement of open burning for agricultural purposes persons conducting said burn shall contact the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department at (620) 724-8274. Please provide: Name of Responsible Person, Contact Number (Cell Phone Preferred, Keeping Cell Phone on you at all times), Physical Location or Address of the Burn, and Type of Burn (Brush Pile, Field, etc……)

  • FIRES MUST BE ATTENDED – Burning SHALL BE ATTENDED by an adult for the duration of the burn and be completely extinguished prior to leaving the area unattended.
  • EXTINGUISHING MEASURES – A fully charged hose or other device(s)*** shall be present and available for immediate use at the site to control the fire should it extend to undesired areas or property.
  • FIRE SIZES – Open burning SHALL NOT be conducted within 25 feet of any property line, structure, or combustible material when the pile size is 4 feet or less in diameter by 3 feet or less in height.         Any pile larger than 4 foot diameter or greater then 3 foot in height shall be at least 100 feet from any roadway or adjacent structure, unless written permission is obtained from the neighboring property owner(s).
  • RESTRICTED MATERIALS – Burning of heavy oils, roofing materials, tar paper, tires, or other similar materials is prohibited.
  • BURNING TIMES – Burning SHALL NOT START until at least one half hour after sunrise. Burning SHALL NOT be conducted during inclement weather, foggy conditions, or extensive cloud cover. Wind speed SHALL NOT be more then 15 MPH. All fires shall be out by dark.
    • Exception 1 – Large Brush Piles
      • Applies to Large Brush Piles generated from the clearing of land for any purpose.Large Brush Piles SHALL HAVE a clear zone created around the pile of at least 75 feet in all directions from the edge of the pile. This area shall be free from combustibles such as light vegetation and brush. Tilled or barren ground is preferred.Prior to Ignition the Crawford County Sheriffs Department shall be notified. (See AGRICULTURAL BURNING)
      • Ignitions of Large Brush Piles must occur within 1 hour of Sunrise to enable as much of the pile to burn as possible prior to Sunset. It is understood that fires of this nature are most likely not going to be completely extinguished by Sunset. The intent of this guideline is to assure the bulk of the fuel is expended allowing the remaining embers to be safely left unattended.
  • Exception 2 – Fields
    • It is understood that because of windy conditions large fields may not be able to be ignited until later in the day, which in turn may lead to fires that are not completely out by night fall. The intent of these guidelines is to encourage this type of burning to start at the earliest possible time.
    • It is also recommended in situations where fields boarder Timber or Brushy areas that a tilled barrier of at least 30 feet be created prior to beginning any burning.
    • Prior to Ignition the Crawford County Sheriffs Department shall be notified. (See AGRICULTURAL BURNING)
    • It is also the responsibility of the person responsible for the burn to make certain that before leaving these fires unattended after dark that every effort is made to make certain that exterior edges of the burn are completely extinguished within 50 feet of the edge of the burn, and that debris within the burned area cannot be carried by wind gust to near by unburned vegetation.
  • CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS – Burning shall be discontinued immediately if Law Enforcement, The Area Fire Chief, or Area Fire Chief’s Authorized Personnel determine that smoke emissions are offensive to occupants of the surrounding property or if the open burning is determined to constitute a hazardous condition.

Persons conducting open burning assume all responsibility and liability for any damage resulting from any open burning. Those persons conducting open burning must also comply with all the provisions set forth in K.A.R. 28-19-645, K.A.R. 28-19-647, & K.A.R. 28-19-648.

https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/531/Open-Burning-Regulations-with-Spanish-Translation-PDF

*** Other Device(s) may include ATV’s, Farm Equipment, or other equipment adequate to achieve immediate fire control should it become necessary.

Should any open burning extend beyond your capability to safely and quickly extinguish it?

<<<<< DO NOT DELAY IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 >>>>>

Uncontrolled or unattended fires can cause considerable damage and inflict considerable expense on your local fire department. Please use these guidelines to help you burn safely and responsibly.

Sincerely,

Crawford County Emergency Management & Crawford County Firefighters Association



 

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