by Alli Howe | Apr 19, 2022 | burning, News, open burning
Due to fire safety concerns, Mesa County Public Health has issued no burn advisory through 10 p.m. on April 19. Burning of any kind, including agricultural burning, is not allowed during this advisory period.
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Mesa County and other areas across the Western Slope. The combination of gusty winds, low relative humidity, warm temperatures, and dry fuels will result in critical fire weather conditions.
Instead of burning, consider these alternatives:
- Take yard waste to the Mesa County Organic Materials composting facility at Mesa County Solid Waste, 3071 U.S. Hwy. 50. The facility accepts material for composting at no charge and is open Wednesday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. For more information, call (970) 263-9319.
- Compost leaves and grass clippings yourself. This can improve water retention in your yard or garden.
- Rent or borrow a wood chipper for your tree and shrub trimmings. Chipped branches can also be good mulch.
For information on current air quality conditions and to learn if it’s OK to burn, visit our website.
by Amanda Mayle | Oct 31, 2021 | burning, News, open burning
Fall Open Burn Season ends two hours before dusk on Sunday, Oct. 31. Residents must use alternative options instead of burning.
- Take yard waste to the Mesa County Organic Materials Composting Facility at Mesa County Solid Waste, 3071 U.S. Hwy. 50. The facility accepts material for composting at no charge and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday. For more information, call (970) 263-9319.
- Residents should note that the Mesa County Landfill is required to close during periods of high winds, so if you plan on visiting the Composting Facility on a windy day, call (970) 241-6846 to make sure the facility is open.
- Compost leaves and grass clippings yourself. This can improve water retention in your yard or garden.
- Rent or borrow a wood chipper for your tree and shrub trimmings. Chipped branches can also be good mulch.
Agricultural burning may continue through the end of the year with permit. Agricultural open burning is open burning activity conducted in the course of agricultural or commercial crop production. It specifically involves the open burning of cover vegetation for the purpose of preparing the soil, controlling weeds and maintaining irrigation and drainage ditches, water sources and fence lines. The burning of tree trimmings from orchards is considered agricultural open burning. Burning residential leaves, pine needles, cut grass, timber, etc. is not allowed.
by Alli Howe | Sep 7, 2021 | air quality, News, open burning
Air Quality Alert for Wildfire Smoke: Extended through 9:00 AM MDT, Saturday, September 11, 2021.
Affected Area: Mesa County
Outlook: Widespread wildfire smoke, originating largely from out-of-state wildfires.
Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) has issued an Air Quality Advisory through Wednesday, September 8 at 9 a.m.
Due to air quality concerns, no open burning is allowed during the advisory period.
Hazy conditions are expected due to smoke from surrounding areas. The number of tiny particles (fine particulates or PM 2.5) in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated has been in the moderate range prompting the alert.
When air quality is in the moderate or higher range, there’s an increased risk for people in sensitive groups, including people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and young children. If visibility is less than five miles due to smoke, the smoke has reached levels that can be unhealthy.
Residents are advised to take the following precautions to stay healthy:
- Avoid heavy outdoor exertion such as running or other forms of exercise.
- Keep your indoor air clean and stay inside as much as possible.
- Avoid activities that increase indoor pollution. You want to keep your indoor air as clean as possible.
- Do not vacuum. It stirs up dust in your home.
- Do not smoke tobacco in your home.
- Do not burn candles, fireplaces or gas stoves.
Even if you are healthy, you may experience temporary symptoms, such as:
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
- Coughing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
Contact your health care provider if you’re concerned about your health.
For more information on air quality conditions and alerts, including real-time readings through a community-sourced monitoring system called Purple Air, visit health.mesacounty.us.
by Stefany Busch | Apr 14, 2021 | burning, News, open burning
NO BURN ADVISORY DUE TO RED FLAG WARNING
Mesa County Public Health has issued a no-burn advisory on April 14, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. due to a Red Flag Warning. The combination of gusty winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels will result in critical fire weather conditions.
Conditions are not appropriate for burning of any kind, including agricultural burning. Instead of burning, consider these alternatives:
- Take yard waste to the Mesa County Organic Materials composting facility at Mesa County Solid Waste, 3071 U.S. Hwy. 50. The facility accepts material for composting at no charge and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Wednesday- Saturday. For more information, call (970) 263-9319.
- Please note the Mesa County Landfill is required to close during periods of high winds. If you plan on visiting the Composting Facility on a windy day, please call 241-6846 prior to coming out to ensure the facility is open.
- Compost leaves and grass clippings yourself. This can improve water retention in your yard or garden.
- Rent or borrow a wood chipper for your tree and shrub trimmings. Chipped branches can also be good mulch.
For information on current air quality conditions and to learn if it’s OK to burn, visit our website.
by Amanda Mayle | Apr 6, 2021 | News, open burning
Mesa County Public Health has issued a no burn advisory through 8 p.m. on April 6 due to expected high winds.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for breezy conditions with wind gusts up to 25 mph.
Conditions are not appropriate for burning. Instead of burning, consider these alternatives:
- Take yard waste to the Mesa County Organic Materials composting facility at Mesa County Solid Waste, 3071 U.S. Hwy. 50. The facility accepts material for composting at no charge and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Wednesday- Saturday. For more information, call (970) 263-9319.
- Please note the Mesa County Landfill is required to close during periods of high winds. If you plan on visiting the Composting Facility on a windy day, please call 241-6846 prior to coming out to ensure the facility is open.
- Compost leaves and grass clippings yourself. This can improve water retention in your yard or garden.
- Rent or borrow a wood chipper for your tree and shrub trimmings. Chipped branches can also be good mulch.
The Spring Burn season in the City of Grand Junction ends April 30, Mesa County’s season goes through May 31.
For information on current air quality conditions and to learn if it’s OK to burn, visit our website.
by Amanda Mayle | Mar 1, 2021 | burning, News, open burning
With the support of local fire chiefs, on March 1, 2021, the Spring Burn Season will return. Last Spring, Mesa County’s Open Burn Season was suspended and ultimately canceled due to resource and air quality concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Fall of 2020 after a historic wildfire season, including the Pine Gulch Fire, a burn ban remained in effect due to significant wildfire risk canceling the Fall Open Burn Season.
Community members are encouraged to use Mesa County Public Health’s online system to obtain a permit. This online tool has been re-designed and is easier than ever to navigate and use. Your permit will be emailed to you right after check out.
- Agricultural Burn Permits are issued with no fee. Within Grand Junction City Limits, agricultural burning is permitted during the designated spring and fall seasons. Outside of the City, agricultural burning is allowed year-round. Permit Holders should only burn when conditions are acceptable for burning.
- Residential Burn Permits cost $25 and are valid during the designated spring and fall seasons of the calendar year. All proceeds from the permits support your local fire protection district.
- If you purchased a Burn Permit last year, there is no charge for your permit this year. Please make sure to indicate your previous purchase on your application.
- We encourage the use of our online system to minimize in-person interaction and to keep everyone safe during COVID-19. If you would like assistance obtaining a permit, please call our team at 970-248-6900.
Once you have a permit, it’s important to monitor air quality, weather, and other safety alerts. Burn permits are not valid if there is a red flag warning, fire restriction, or a no burn advisory in place. Air quality information can be found on the Mesa County Public Health website. A re-designed Air Quality page makes tracking air quality conditions and advisories easy to access.
Burn season runs through May 31 in Mesa County and April 30 in the City of Grand Junction. Permits for everyone in the County (including those within city limits) are issued by Mesa County Public Health.
Open burning pollutes the air and poses a fire hazard. Consider alternatives, such as composting or wood chipping, if possible. The Mesa County Organic Materials Composting Facility at Mesa County Solid Waste, 3071 U.S. Hwy 50, accepts organic materials like leaves, grass clippings, tree limbs, hay, and straw free of charge from Mesa County residents.
To view other alternatives to burning, and for additional information about burn permits, check out our Guide to Burning.
