The dry grasses and wind in our area are prime ingredients for potentially dangerous and often fast moving fires. With lightning stikes often an initiator of grassfires in the spring and summer months, there are human-caused accidents that CAN be prevented.
Sometimes even the most well-planned fire pit or trash barrel burn can quickly get out of hand and threaten not only your property, but your neighbor's as well. If a report of smoke gets called in, the department is going to show up if it has not been communicated to the Elbert County Communications Dispatch Center as a permitted burn.
The Fire Department has a Burn Permit system in place to deal with this issue and we strongly encourage you to use it.
Although the above images show an example of a controlled burn performed BY the Fire Department, not all burns require SVFD participation. But in some cases it's in the best interest of all involved to have apparatus on scene for safety reasons.This particular brushpile was rather large, and burned in a pit that was prepared specifically for event. This served to further ensure safety and minimize the risk of the fire accidentally spreading. |
A burn permit is either a written or verbal authorization from the fire Chief to conduct a controlled burn in the Simla fire protection area.
By contacting the fire department you will find out if the county or area is under any restrictions, as well as getting your intended burn authorized. The chief can also check the intended burn location to ensure that there are no safety concerns that need addressing prior to lighting up. The burn permit information is then communicated to the Elbert County Sheriff's office who can pass this on to neighbors and passers-by that call in smoke, or consider your burn as a real fire. If that happens and no issued permit is in place, the Fire Department will be dispatched and your burning extinguished.
Wood, weeds, etc... The important thing is that it is done under favorable conditions (i.e. minimal wind, non-drought) with water available if posible and with supervision. There are instances where grass fires have been inadvertently started by small trash-barrel burns. Wind picking up embers and igniting dry grass can threaten not only your property, but the neighbor's as well!
Q: How can I get a burn permit?
An Online Burn Permit Application can be submitted, or by contacting the Simla Fire Chief John Hillman by phone or email. Please communicate the following:
All permit requests will be considered on an individual basis.
Burning without a permit normally results in your fire being put out! NON-permitted burns are also subject to citation. This is a last resort option, and competely avoidable through the burn permit process!
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