With the recent change in weather conditions, permits for open burning of vegetative materials are being issued by the Reno Fire Department and the Sierra Fire Protection District for the burn period that will begin at midnight Friday and is anticipated to conclude at midnight Nov. 1 in accordance with county air quality standards and requirements. However, the open burn period could close sooner, depending on weather conditions, fire officials say.

Open burning is allowed in limited areas of the city of Reno and in Washoe County in accordance with the Washoe County District Health Department, but only with a permit issued by the Reno Fire Department or the Sierra Fire Protection District. Areas in which open burning are allowed, as defined by the Air Quality Management section of the Health Department, fall outside of the air quality district. Generally, those areas are west of Verdi, south of the Mt. Rose Highway, Sun Valley and most other north valleys areas with the exception of the North Virginia Street corridor northwest of North McCarran Boulevard and south of Golden Valley.

New permits can be obtained by calling the Reno Fire Department at 328-3659. The Reno Fire Department is also providing online applications at www.cityofreno.com/Index.aspx?page=189. Permits for open burning in the Sierra Fire Protection District can be obtained by calling 849-1108 Ext. 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or by e-mailing a permit request to sierrafireburnpermit@washoecounty.us.

A site inspection by fire personnel may be required for new permits before open burning can take place to make sure burn areas are at least 25 feet from all structures, that burn piles are no larger than three feet in diameter by three feet high, that a cleared space of 10 to 15 feet wide is in place around the burn area and that both running water and hand tools are at the burn site.

Burning of household refuse, trash, cardboard, rubber products, tires, plastic, petroleum, construction debris and other non-vegetative materials is prohibited.

Open burning is not allowed on windy days and is subject to local air quality controls by the Washoe County Health Department. Open burning may commence at 6 a.m., but fires must be extinguished by 2 p.m.