FOR WEBSITE:

 

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m., in the Commissioner's Auditorium located at the Kittitas County Courthouse, Ellensburg, Washington, to consider proposed changes to the Kittitas County Code to include amendments to Title 20, for Fire and Life Safety Code.  Amendments to the code include the prohibition against the release of Sky Lanterns within Kittitas County.

 

Title 20

Chapter 20.07

Fire Hazards

20.07.010  Definitions

20.07.020  Authority

20.07.030  Piles of Natural Vegetation for Burning

20.07.040 Recreational Fires

20.07.050 Sky Lanterns

 

20.07.010  Definitions.

 

Fire Hazard—Any arrangement of materials and/or heat sources that presents the potential for harm, such as personal injury or ignition of combustibles.

 

Sky Lanterns---Miniature, unmanned air balloon that relies on an open flame as a heat source to heat the air inside the lantern with the intention of causing it to lift into the atmosphere.  Typically made of rice paper or flame resistant paper, it has a fuel cell in the opening. 

 

20.07.020 Authority.  The Fire Marshal or his/her designee may deem a property or condition on a property as a fire hazard.

 

20.07.030  Piles of Natural Vegetation for Burning.   Piles of natural vegetation for burning shall be no greater than 10' in diameter, and no more than 10' in height.  If prior approval is obtained by the Fire Marshal and local fire district, pile sizes may be increased.   It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to contact the local fire district to determine if a permit will be required, as well as to notify the fire district upon commencement of burning. 

 

The following rules shall apply to all Outdoor Burning at all times:

 

a.    The burning of garbage, trash, rubbish, or utilization of burn barrels, etc. is illegal;

b.    No open burning within 50 feet of any structure or combustible material;

c.    Pile size shall be no greater than 10' in diameter, unless prior approval to increase pile size is obtained from the Fire Marshal and fire district;

d.    No more than one pile may be burned on any property at the same time;

e.    Piles may be stored on a property no longer than twelve months;

f.      Conditions that may cause the fire to spread shall be eliminated prior to ignition;

g.    No open burning shall occur when wind speeds or gusts exceed 10 mph, unless prior approval is obtained by the Fire Marshal and local fire district:

h.    A person capable of utilizing fire extinguishing equipment such as buckets, shovels, garden hoses connected to a water supply, fire extinguishers, heavy equipment, etc., shall be on site at all times; and

Fire extinguishing equipment such as buckets, shovels, garden hoses connected to a water supply, fire extinguishers, heavy equipment or any equipment that will provide suppression of the proposed fire, shall be on site at all times while the fire is burning.

 

20.07.040 Recreational Fires.  Recreational fires are allowed in unincorporated areas of Kittitas County, provided that no restrictions or burn bans are in effect. 

 

The following rules for Recreational Fires shall apply at all times:

 

a.    Recreational fires, camp fires, cook fires, etc. shall be no greater than 3' x 3' in diameter and no more than 2' in height;  

b.    No recreational fires shall be located within 25 feet of any structure;

c.    A person capable of utilizing fire extinguishing equipment such as buckets, shovels, garden hoses connected to a water supply, fire extinguishers, heavy equipment, etc., shall be on site at all times; and

d.    Fire extinguishing equipment such as buckets, shovels, garden hoses connected to a water supply, fire extinguishers, heavy equipment or any equipment that will provide suppression of the proposed fire, shall be on site at all times while the fire is burning.

 

20.07.050 Sky Lanterns.  The lighting and/or release of sky lanterns or like devices shall be prohibited in Kittitas County. 

 

The proposed Ordinance and copies of the complete code texts, may be reviewed during normal business hours at the Kittitas County Community Development Services Department (CDS) 411 N. Ruby Street, Ellensburg, WA   98926, or you may request a copy of the proposed Ordinance by calling Brenda Larsen at 509-962-7000.

Anyone with an interest in this matter is urged to attend said hearing where all testimony will be taken. Written comments may be received at 205 W 5th STE 108, Ellensburg, WA 98926 at or prior to the hearing.

Kittitas County complies with all ADA requirements.

For more information, contact the Kittitas County Fire Marshal's Office at (509) 962-7000.

 

 

For more information, contact Fire Marshal


Anyone with an interest in this matter is urged to attend said hearing where all testimony will be taken. Written comments may be received at 205 W 5th Ave. STE 108, Ellensburg, WA 98926 at or prior to the hearing.

Kittitas County complies with all ADA requirements.