Fire Department Clarifies Open Burn Restrictions After Recent Fires

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Spring is finally here!  Time to get outside and fire up those grills.  We just ask you all to be careful.

With the weather warming up and the snow having melted, the grass and vegetation is extremely dry.  As of 4 April 2023, the National Weather Service is showing Bellevue was still in a “Moderate” drought condition.  Moderate Drought conditions mean that there is some damage to crops and pastures, and the fire risk is high; streams and reservoirs or wells are low.  As you have seen in recent weeks, there have been numerous large brush fires in the Omaha Metro.  Papillion had a very large brush fire on the 8^th of April that burned over 200 acres.  Papillion Fire along with other local fire departments (including Bellevue Fire) did a fantastic job in tough conditions to get that fire put out without any damage to structures or injuries.

Some may ask what are the restrictions for open burning in the City of Bellevue?  Here is what is allowed:

“Burn barrels are prohibited within the Bellevue city limits. Small fires for cooking purposes (i.e. grills, cooking ring, outdoor fireplace with cooking grates or underground cooking pits are allowed). Charcoal grills are not allowed on wooden decks of any multi-family dwellings (apartment complex).

The only materials that can be burned with a burn permit are trees, brush, weeds, garden waste, and natural vegetation. Burning of these materials shall be in small piles and may be inspected at any time. Burning of manufactured wood, such as pallets, deck wood, or any type of structural materials; any type of paper, plastic, or rubber, or any type of vehicle or parts of vehicles are not allowed.

A burn permit must be obtained from the Bellevue Fire Department before any materials are burned. Burn permits can be obtained Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the District #1 Fire Station, 211 West 22nd Ave, Bellevue (directly behind City Hall) for a fee.

When burning with a permit, there must be a responsible person in attendance with a water supply adequate to put out the fire, if needed.

For further information or questions, please contact the Fire Investigator at (402) 293-3100.”

We also ask you to be very careful when discarding smoking materials and charcoal briquettes from barbeques.  Please dispose of smoking materials in an ashtray or other approved container.  Please do not flick smoking materials out of car windows, off of apartment balconies/patios, or dispose of them in mulch beds.  This is how many fires start.  Remember, a fire doubles in size every 30 seconds, and when you combine strong winds and dry conditions, it only makes the outcome worse.

After you have finished barbequing and the charcoals have cooled off, soak them with some water before disposing of them in a trash can.   We want everyone to enjoy the nice weather and if you follow these basic safety tips you and your family will be able to enjoy some great times in the outdoors this year.
If you have any questions, please email our Fire Prevention/Public Safety Officer Brian Koontz at [email protected] or you can call him at 402-917-2533.