With the annual burn limitations now underway for the Flint Hills, Lyon County Emergency Management Director Jarrod Fell is reminding landowners about proper burn procedures outside the Emporia city limits — the main one being how to notify authorities.
Procedures are a bit different for residents inside the city limits. Residents need to call the Fire Department headquarters at 620-343-4230. Burns have to be conducted between 7 am and 7 pm. Wind speeds must be below 15 mph for an in-town burn, and burns must be at least 50 feet from nearby structures.
So far, the Lyon County spring burn season has gone relatively well — although there have been a number of controlled burns that went out of control and a fair amount of rekindles several days after the initial burn. He also says the number of controlled burns seems to be down so far this spring.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan burn limits went into effect Monday and continue all month. The plan allows for controlled pasture burns, ceremonial fires and grilling, but debris piles, crop residue and construction waste cannot be burned at all in April.
*Click here to report a burn to Lyon County Emergency Management.
