Burn Permit Information

 
You are responsible for knowing burn season regulations- click the link at the bottom of this page to view them in detail.

There are four types of burns recognized by the St. George Fire Department.  On any burn, you are required to have a means of extinguishing the fire.

Agricultural Burn: The fire department must be notified when an agricultural burn is going to happen.  Agricultural burns are defined as the burning of pruning from trees, bushes, plants, or dead or diseased trees, bushes, and plants, including stubble, weed growth along ditch banks, fence lines on cultivated lands, canals or irrigation ditches on properties of five acres or more.

Residential Burn: There are two residential burn seasons each year during which burn permits can be obtained:

• Spring burn season – March 1st – May 30th
• Fall burn season – September 15th – November 15th

 
There is no fee for a burn permit, but you must obtain a new permit every day you plan to burn.  Burning is restricted to weeds, leaves and small tree or bush branches (no big tree limbs). 

No burning of trash or construction debris is permitted.  Please contact Washington County Solid Waste at 435-673-2813 for information on disposing of trash and construction debris.

Controlled Burn: Permits for a controlled burn are issued during the residential burn season.  The fire department must inspect what is being burned before a burn permit can be issued.  Construction debris, tires and trash/garbage are not permitted in a controlled burn.

Developmental Burn: Any developmental burning is prohibited in St. George.

What determines a "good burn day"?

There are days during burn season when a permit will not be issued. When the clearing index is below 500, no permits are issued.  The clearing index indicates how heavy the air is.  If the clearing index is not high enough, smoke does not disperse and becomes a health hazard. Burn season may also be suspended or closed due to very hot, dry, or windy conditions.

You can obtain a burn permit three ways.

Call 435-627-4150 Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm

Call Fire Dispatch at 435-627-4949

Obtain a permit online at Washington County's Burn Permit Request System

Burn Season Regulations & Recreational Burning

Burn Season Regulations

1. Fire pits and barrels must maintain 25’ distance away from buildings and other combustible material.
2. Keep the fire pit size to approximately 3’ or less in diameter and no more than 2’ in height.
3. Clear combustible material away from the fire vicinity.
4. The fire must be constantly attended until the fire is fully extinguished
5. A readily accessible method of extinguishment must be available. (garden hose, fire extinguisher, etc.)
6. Bon fires are not permitted without an inspection and permit.
7. Burning garbage or trash is prohibited.
8. Avoid smoky fires that cause a nuisance to neighbors. Nuisance complaints will terminate fire activity.
9. Individuals are responsible for violations or damages that may occur as a result of the burning activity.
10. If conditions are not favorable to open burning, such as hot and dry or windy conditions, the fire must be extinguished immediately. Keep an eye on changing conditions.
11. Burning is permitted during daylight hours only. All fires must be completely extinguished prior to sunset.

Recreational Burning

The requirements for an open recreational fire within a residential area are as follows:

1. Recreational burning must adhere to the regulations listed in the the “burn season regulations”
2. Portable outdoor fireplaces must maintain 15’ distance from buildings and other combustible material.

While open burning requires a burn permit, recreational fires that adhere to the above stipulations are not required to obtain a permit.


If you have further questions please call 435?627?4150.
Brett Remund
Fire Marshal
St. George Fire Department
Rev. 6/27/2023