Spring Burn Season Opens March 1

Spring doesn’t officially begin until March 20. But with the onset of warmer weather creeping into the first part of March, so do thoughts of spring cleaning.

Part of spring cleaning each year involves all the necessary yard work, which includes (but not limited to) cleaning irrigation ditches and clearing any and all trash out of one’s yard. This part of spring cleaning can involve taking full advantage of the open burn season.

The 2013 Spring Burn Season is scheduled from Friday, March 1 through Friday, March 31. Everyone who plans to participate in the open burn season is required to obtain a burn permit before burning.

Grand Junction, Fruita, and Clifton Fire Departments issue permits for their response areas. The Mesa County Health Department issues permits for all other areas in Mesa County.

Burning is allowed only for dry weeds, garden waste, irrigation ditches, and tree or shrub trimmings less than one inch in diameter.

Permits cost $15, and are good for both the spring and fall seasons. The permits can be purchased at the Fire Administration office at 333 West Avenue Building E in Grand Junction. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

As spring approaches in the Grand Valley, the Grand Junction Fire Department does have one piece of advice – the GJFD says that open burning is not the only option for cleaning irrigation ditches and getting rid of garden waste, small tree trimmings, and weeds.

In an effort to promote the health of residents and maintain the quality of the environment, the GJ Fire Department is strongly encouraging residents to use alternatives to open burning. These alternatives include composting, free day at the landfill, or spring clean-up with the City of Grand Junction.

For more information on spring cleaning alternatives, visit http://www.gjcity.org/GJFDBurnPermitBrochures.aspx.