Penalties proposed in burn ban ordinance

Washington County commissioners have drafted a new open burning ordinance that gives the sheriff enforcement authority and includes fines for violations.

 Sheriff Matt Thomas raised the need for a countywide ordinance with enforcement powers earlier this fall. 

 He told county commissioners that his deputies could tell people to put out a fire during the county burn ban last summer but had no authority to cite violators.

 The existing burn ban is basically voluntary and is not backed up with any penalties. The burn ban was done by resolution by commissioners. 

 Thomas said he met with chiefs from the Weiser Area Rural, Midvale and Cambridge fire districts to get their input on the proposed countywide ordinance. 

 Fire officials in the county wanted a uniform date every year when the burn ban will go into effect. The dates that were agreed upon run from June 1 to Oct. 20.

 In the proposed ordinance, which must still be officially adopted by commissioners following a public hearing, the maximum penalty the county could impose would be a misdemeanor citation with a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.

 The proposed ordinance also stipulates that anyone who causes a fire during the burn ban could be held liable for the expense of putting it out and damages.

 Washington County modeled portions of the ordinance on one that is on the books in Boise County.  

 The proposed open burning ordinance does have some exemptions that are spelled out.

 The county ordinance will not include public land managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The Payette National Forest sets its own fire restrictions, which are usually later in the summer than the lower elevations.

 The ordinance would cover fire districts in the county but would not have any impact on incorporated cities, such as Weiser, Midvale and Cambridge, which are not subject to the county’s jurisdiction.

 Also exempt are permitted agricultural controlled burns. Commercial fireworks permitted by Idaho code are exempt. 

 Commissioners are expected to take up the ordinance in early 2019.