In the ordinance, it identifies that open burning will be prohibited in the unincorporated parts of the county from July 1 to October 1 of each year (this year the ban begins on June 25th). Some of the exemptions during this time frame include recreational or cooking fires, ag burning as authorized by the Idaho Dept. of AG, in season fireworks as permitted by Idaho Code and/or County Ordinance, and residential burning in a burn barrel as defined.

The Sheriff’s Office and Fire Districts will work with the citizens in Payette County to educate them on details of the new ordinance. The first offense under this ordinance is an infraction; however, a second or subsequent offense within five years will be a misdemeanor. Fires that cause damage to another person’s property would result in a misdemeanor citation.

“The Payette County Burn Ordinance is an important step toward ensuring not only the health and safety of our citizens and the protection of our property, but toward protecting the limited resources of our local fire departments. Our local departments are funded by taxpayers, and we must be good stewards of those dollars. The board worked hard to create a comprehensive ordinance without any unnecessary government overreach.” (Board of County Commissioner Chairman Anne-Marie Kelso)