Reno Allows Open Burning by Permit

As of March 1, 2010, Reno will be allowing open buring by permit for vegetative materials only.  Both the Sierra Fire Protection District and the Reno Fire Department will be issuing permits for openly burning plants and other vegetative materials.  The period allotted for openly burning materials started at midnight on March 1 and will continue as long as weather conditions permit, it is not windy and air quality is good, according to the Washoe County Health Department.  On days that meet all the safety requirements, open burning can begin at 6am and cannot continue past 2pm.  If the wind kicks up, the burn period can end even before 2pm.

If you wish to obtain an open burn permit, you can either call the Burn Permit Hotline (Reno Fire Department) at 775-328-3659 or by visiting the .  If you are outside of the Reno Fire Department's jurisdiction, you can call the Sierra Fire Protection District at 775-849-1108 ext 5.  Sierra's office hours are 8am-5pm Monday through Saturday.  You can also email a request to [email protected].  If you currently have a permit, you don't need to renew it.

Before some Reno permits are issued, fire personnel may need to inspect the burn site before a permit will be granted.  The burn are must be at least 25 feet from any structures, the burn piles cannot exceed three feet in diameter and three feet high, there must be a clear space of 10-15 feet around the burn site and running water and hand tools should both be ready and available at all burn locations.  Only vegetative materials are allowed to be burned.  This does not include items such as household trash, tires, plastic, cardboard, rubber or other materials that are non-vegetative in nature.

It is great that Reno now allows open burning by permit.  But you must continue to follow safety guidelines, rules and regulations and obtain a permit before you start burning your trash.  Be safe!