Burn Permit

All applicants must contact the Bethany Fire Department to schedule an inspection prior to issuance of a burn permit. Permit holders must notify the Bethany Fire Department prior to the ignition on the day of the burn. A permit to burn will be granted after payment of the permit fee and only under the following conditions:

• Burning shall not be conducted at times when the wind speed exceeds, or is expected to exceed, ten (10) miles per hour. The humidity must be greater than 30% and a temperature less than 98 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Piles shall be no larger than 5ft x 5ft and 3ft in height. The location for open burning shall not be less than 50ft from any structure, and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading within 50ft of any structure, with the following exceptions: 1.) Fires in approved containers that are not less than 15ft from a structure. 2.) Fires 3ft or less in diameter and 2ft or less in height shall be a required distance of 25 feet of a structure.
• Bonfires shall not be conducted within 50ft of a structure or combustible material unless the fire is contained in a barbeque pit. Conditions that could cause a fire to spread wihtin 50ft of a structure or combustible material shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
• Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25ft of a structure or combustible material. Conditions that could cause a fire to spread within 25ft of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.
• Open burning, bonfires, recreational fires, and use of portable fireplaces shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. Not fewer than one portable fire with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose, or water truck shall be available for immediate utilization.
• The area over the burn pile shall be free of electrical lines, tree limbs, or other obstructions. 
• No publis nuisance will be created as a result of any burning and includes: visibility hazards on any roadway, rail track, or air field.
• Burning is to be conducted so that contaminents do not adversely affect the ambient air quality.
• Material to be burned will consist of only limbs and brush. No building materials or materials containing hydrocarbons (plastics, et al.) or petroleum products (tires, tar paper, etc.) shall be used to accelerate the burning.
• Material to be burned shall cease being added far enough in advance to allow the fire to burn down before the sun sets.
• The desidue will be watered down and extinguished before leaving the pile unattended.

• Permits will be kept on site and presented to any city official upon request.