Open Burning in North Carolina Introduce Yourself Explain what presentation is about - Open burning in North Carolina as it pertains to air pollution. The following will be discussed. What may be burned Where it may be burned When it may be burned

North Carolina Department of Environment And Natural Resources Explain DENR and Division of Air Quality Ad your name to this slide.

Seven Regional Offices In North Carolina State is divided into seven regions.

Regional Offices Local Environmental Programs Asheville Regional Office 2090 US Hwy 70 Swannanoa, NC 28778 Phone: (828) 296-4500 Fax: (828) 299-7043 Fayetteville Regional Office 225 Green Street Suite 714 Fayetteville, NC 28301 Phone: (910) 486-1541 Fax: (910) 486-0707 Raleigh Regional Office P.O. Box 27687 Raleigh, NC 27609 Phone: (919) 571-4700 Fax: (919) 571-4718 Mooresville Regional Office 610 E. Center Avenue Suite 301 Mooresville, NC 28115 Phone: (704) 663-1699 Fax: (704) 663-7579 Wilmington Regional Office 127 Cardinal Drive Extension Wilmington, NC 28405 Phone: (910) 395-3900 Fax: (910) 350-2004 Washington Regional Office 943 Washington Square Mall Washington, NC 27889 Phone: (252) 946-6481 Fax: (252) 975-3716 Winston-Salem Regional Office 585 Waughtown Street Winston-Salem, NC 27107 Phone: (336) 771-4600 Fax: (336) 771-4632 Seven Regional Offices – Review the region that you are in Three Local Programs – Explain what local is Local Environmental Programs Buncombe County Western NC Regional Air Pollution Control Agency 49 Mount Carmel Road Asheville, NC 28806 Phone: (828) 255-5655 Fax: (828) 255-5226 Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Dept. 537 N. Spruce Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Phone: (336) 727-8064 Fax: (336) 727-2777 Mecklenburg County Dept. of Environmental Protection 700 N. Tryon Street, Suite 205 Charlotte, NC 28202 Phone: (704) 336-5500 Fax: (704) 336-4391

DAQ Home Page – Open Burning Link at lower left (Gold Link) Link to next slide

DAQ Open Burning Web Page

Open Burning Rule One of NC’s oldest air quality rules First adopted in 1971 Regulates outdoor burning Set conditions for allowable fires Violators can be fined up to $25,000 per violation or more in serious cases See slide

NC Division of Forest Resources Responsible for protecting state and privately owned forest land from forest fires Forest fire prevention Controlling wildfires DFR issues open burning permits DAQ does not issue open burning permits Purpose of DAQ is to Control Air Pollution…. Not fire prevention. NC Division of Forest Resources addresses fire danger and fire prevention – issues Burning Permits Introduce NC Div. of For Resources representative (if present)

Local Government Local agencies and fire officials may have other ordinances Local ordinances must be no less stringent than the state regulation Following one agency’s regulation does not guarantee compliance with other agencies Contact your local agencies prior to any open burning Local government and Fire Officials may have other ordinances. Local ordinances have to be as stringent as the state regulations DAQ only enforces state regulation Compliance with one agency’s rules does not guarantee compliance with others Contact your local agencies prior to any open burning

Why Limit Open Burning? Smoke from open burning pollutes the air and is unhealthy to breathe Potential health effects include Lung and Eye irritation Headaches, Dizziness Asthma attacks Coughing and wheezing and Even death in some cases Why Limit Open Burning? Air Quality Regulations are written to protect human health and the environment.

If It Doesn’t Grow, Don’t Burn It Only leaves, branches and other plant growth can be burned… nothing else – only if public pick-up is not available It is always illegal to burn trash and other non-vegetative material See slide

Never Burn These Materials: Structures – standing or demolished Asphalt shingles Plastics, synthetics Heavy oils Paints Household, agricultural chemicals Trash, garbage Lumber and Pallets Treated wood Tires Newspapers and other paper products Wire and coated wire See slide

It is illegal to burn trash or garbage Illegal Burning See Slide It is illegal to burn trash or garbage

It is illegal to burn demolition material Illegal Burning It is illegal to burn demolition material Notice the “Hot tub” It is illegal to burn demolition material

It is illegal to burn construction material Illegal Burning See slide It is illegal to burn construction material

Allowable Burning Yard waste – Homeowners/Residential Land clearing – Grading, building contractors, agriculture, etc… Two major categories of allowable open burning Yard waste may be burned by homeowners Land clearing debris is usually burned by grading contractors, building contractors and others The burning must follow NC Air Quality Regulations. The burning must follow NC Air Quality Regulations

Air Quality Forecast Area Point out local Air Quality forecast areas

Air Quality Forecast (May 1-September 30) Check the forecast in your area before you burn! www.ncair.org or 888-784-6224 (1-888-RU4NCAIR) Where to get AQ forecast – web page or toll free number Also, local TV, radio, etc. End of Air Quality Awareness Section

NC Air Awareness Code orange, red, or purple days in air quality forecast areas – cannot burn the following Yard waste Land clearing debris Natural disaster material Fire training (excluding permanent training facilities) DAQ recommends no burning throughout the rest of the state on code orange, red, or purple days! Types of open burning that are prohibited on Code Orange or higher day in Air Quality forecast areas *Emphasize: We recommend no burning statewide on these days.

NC Air Awareness Exceptions to prohibited open burning on code orange, red, or purple days Permanent Fire Training Facilities Forest management practices Agricultural practices Wildlife management practices Practices must be acceptable to the Division of Forest Resources, Department of Agriculture, or Wildlife Management Commission See slide

Burning Yard Waste Picture of open burning yard waste

Burning Yard Waste Must originate on PRIVATE residence and be burned on that site Allowed only if no public pickup available Leaves, branches, grass clippings, and other plant waste Does not allow stumps and logs over 6 inches in diameter Must occur between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Air quality forecast - Code green or yellow Smoke cannot create a nuisance See slide End of Burning Yard Waste Section

Land Clearing Debris Picture of burning land clearing debris

Burning Land Clearing Debris Only vegetative material such as logs, stumps and large limbs May use kerosene or diesel fuel to start Must occur between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. 250 feet from public road (Wind Direction – National Weather Service Forecast) 1,000 feet from occupied structure (not on site) Air Quality Forecast - Code Green or Yellow Vegetative Debris must originate on site where burning taking place Every pile can be considered a separate violation What is land clearing? Land clearing means the uprooting or clearing of vegetation in connection with construction for building; right-of-way; agricultural, residential, commercial, or industrial development; mining activities; or the initial clearing of vegetation to enhance property value; but does not include routine maintenance or property clean-up activities. See slide You may want to define: Occupied structure means a building in which people may live or work. Also, includes buildings that house farm animals or other domestic animals.

Setback Exception Open burning land clearing debris Allows open burning within 1,000 feet of occupied structures (not on site) DAQ prior approval required What is a “setback”? A process through which someone is allowed to open burn land clearing debris within 1,000 feet of occupied structure(s) that are not on the burn site. Requires DAQ approval prior to the open burning

Setback Exception Process The following information is required: Responsible party Burn dates – Begin and end Burn site information – Location, map & size area Signed statement waiving objections – Everyone within 1,000 ft. of burn pile(s) DAQ prior approval required Information DAQ needs to process a setback exception Name, address and day time phone number of the person responsible for the open burning Approximate dates that the open burning will begin and end. Exact location of the open burning – road name, street address, lot number, etc. Include map (tax map, subdivision map, survey, site plan, drawing) Include location of burn pile(s) and structures within 1,000 feet Size area to burn Signed Statement Waiving Objections – Everyone within 1,000 ft. of burn pile(s) DAQ approval prior to burn

Is This Legal? Land clearing debris fire – Is it legal? Is residence less than 1,000 feet? Is public road less than 250 feet? Would this site possibly require a setback exception? Is it an Air Quality action day?

Air Curtain Burner Other burning methods for land clearing debris - Air curtain burner, pit burner or air curtain destructor- Air is blown across a pit to form a curtain of air. The air traps unburned particles under the curtain. Higher temperatures and increased combustion time provides more complete combustion. Pit constructed to ACB manufacture’s specifications Will smoke for short period after loading No Smoke – less than 10 percent opacity Allowed one 45 minute start-up per day at 35 percent opacity

Air Curtain Burner Requirements Vegetative material only (On-site) 250 feet from public road 500 feet from occupied structure (not on site) 10% Opacity limit (excluding 45 minute start-up) Air quality forecast - Code green or yellow DAQ prior notification and approval required Requirements for air curtain burner operation - Refer to slide- May want to discuss Temporary vs Permanent Site Temporary Site – Less than 9 months – Material originates on-site Permanent Site – Over 9 months – Transported material – Air Permit Required End of Air Curtain Burner Section

Fire Fighter Training Firefighters are allowed to burn abandoned structures for training purposes – If approved by DAQ

No DAQ notification or prior approval required Fire Fighter Training Training exercises at permanent fire training facilities (Under supervision of colleges and fire academies/training centers) No DAQ notification or prior approval required Fire fighter training at permanent fire training facilities – Colleges and fire academies/training facilities - Does not require DAQ notification or prior approval.

DAQ notification form & prior approval required Fire Fighter Training Abandoned structures – Extinguish & rescue Junked vehicles – Extinguish & rescue All other training fires require DAQ Notification This includes fire extinguishment and search & rescue training What can be burned Abandoned structures – Emphasize no demolished structures Junked vehicles DAQ notification form & prior approval required

Impermissible Fire Training Salvageable items, such as insulated wire and electric motors If the primary purpose of the fire is to dispose of synthetic materials or refuse. Previously demolished structures Cannot burn these items/material for training -Refer to slide-

Fire Fighter Training Notification Explain first section of Notification Notification form is required for most training Available on internet – www.ncair.org Submit at least 10 days prior to burn Your fire department information Training location What will be burned

Meet The Following Conditions Notification – Regional office (10 days prior to burn – can FAX) Notification and approval – HHCU/Asbestos (Notification must be postmarked 10 working days prior to the start date. Faxes not accepted) Change schedule – Notify HHCU in writing prior to original start date and Call DAQ regional office Air quality forecast - Code green or yellow Fire training must meet certain conditions to be in compliance with Air Quality Regulations Proper Notification and approval from Regional Office (10 days prior to burn - Can FAX form to DAQ) Proper Notification to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Health Hazards Control Unit (10 days) Deviations in burning schedule - must call Regional Office at least one hour before the burn.

Training Objective - Experience Experience and Practice must always be the objective End of Fire Training Section

Other Allowable Burning Campfires Outdoor cooking Bonfires for festive occasions Managing forests or wildlife habitats Controlling agricultural pests and diseases Disposing VEGETATIVE storm debris from hurricanes and other natural disasters (Requires DAQ prior approval) Other types of allowable open burning Fires can’t contain synthetic materials -Refer to slide- May want to discuss: Forest management open burning practices must be acceptable to NC Division of Forest Resources Wildlife management open burning practices must be acceptable to NC Division of Wildlife Resources Agriculture open burning practices must be acceptable to NC Department of Agriculture End of Allowable Open Burning Section

Open Burning Compliance DAQ receives complaint Investigate complaint Other investigations/inspections Fire marshal Other fire officials Solid waste officials Other state/local officials DAQ receives complaint from concerned citizen Complaint is investigated to determine compliance Investigations or inspections may be conducted by other officials: Fire Marshal Other fire officials Solid waste officials Other state/local officials May be reported to DAQ for review

Other investigations Here’s what we’d like to know Materials being burned How big the pile or area burned is Pictures of the burning and around the open burning site Name of violator and any contact information Info needed from the fire department or other agency if you are the complainant A good report from them helps build our case They can choose to be anonymous if necessary

Enforcement Document Violation Issue Notice of Violation Notice of Recommendation for Enforcement Civil Penalty Assessment (Up to $10,000 per violation) If violation is documented - Issue Notice of Violation Notice of Recommendation for Enforcement Civil penalty assessment (May be $10,000 per violation)

Open Burning Alternatives Compost yard waste Chip tree limbs Land clearing debris Haul to sawmill or pulpwood yard Chip or tub grind remaining material Recycle or re-use non-vegetative material Contact local solid waste facility DAQ encourages everyone to pursue other acceptable disposal methods -Refer to slide- Call Pollution Prevention www.p2pays.org OR 1-(800) 763-0136

Breathe… Don’t Burn! Outdoor fires pollute the air Smoke is unhealthy to breathe Recycle or properly dispose of waste See slide

Contact Information www.ncair.org Call 1-877-OPEN BURN (1-877-673-6287) Review contact information End Presentation Ask for questions and comments