Waunakee Fire Burn Permit

Why must people get burning permits or licenses? 

1. It gives fire department personnel an opportunity to ensure that weather conditions are favorable for a burn and that the burn in question meets the requirements of local ordinances.

2. It notifies the fire department of your intent to burn brush, grass, leaves, etc. In the event the fire department receives an emergency call on the controlled burn, it gives us a chance to contact the permit holder to see if their fire is still under control or if a full fire response is needed.

3. The DNR Forestry Program, under Chapter 26, Wisconsin Statutes, and many local governments require burning permits to prevent forest fires and protect life and property. State laws administered by the Air Management Program and many local ordinances spell out the kinds of materials that may be burned and the conditions under which burning will or won't be allowed.

4. The only exception to the above rules is if the fire is contained within a burn barrel or a commercially manufactured outdoor recreational fireplace. The fireplace must be an assembly that includes a bowl, pit, or device for holding the wood and a method of containing embers and sparks.

5. If a burning permit or license is obtained, it does not give authority to burn materials that are illegal to burn under state or local law.

Unauthorized Burning

Anyone conducting a controlled burn in which the Fire Department must respond to, without first obtaining a burn permit from the Department, may be held responsible for the costs of such fire call. The Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, or Battalion Chief in his/her absence, shall have ultimate decision authority as to issuance of an unauthorized burn citation. No other member or members will be permitted to issue such a citation. All citations will be reviewed by the District Board, post citation, to understand the reason for such issuance. Charges will be based on the number and type of apparatus, along with the number of firefighters that respond, as follows: Ladder - $150, Engines - $150, Squad - $150, Tenders - $100, Brush, ATV, or Car - $75, Firefighter $25/hour

Burning of unwanted buildings - DNR Publication WA-651-03

Open Burning: It is illegal to burn unwanted buildings in Wisconsin. State laws prohibit the burning of painted, treated or unclean wood, asphalt, plastics of any kind, oily substances, tires and other rubber products, wet rubbish, and other materials. In the case of building demolition, that would include roofing materials, all kinds of flooring materials, insulation, plywood and other composition board, electrical wiring, cabinetry and countertops, and plastic plumbing. The only exception is for a fire department practice burn of a standing building from which the materials that are illegal to burn have already been removed. One-time burning of clean, unpainted, untreated wood is allowed with approved methods and prior notification of the DNR. However, in the case of demolition waste, it would be necessary to separate out all the illegal materials and painted or treated wood before any burning could be allowed. Check with the local municipality and DNR officials to see if you must obtain a permit to burn these materials at your location. 

Failure to comply with the rules may put firefighters and apparatus at risk and you may be required to pay restitution to the Fire District.