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1. What is open burning?

Open burning is the burning of any material or substance, including trash, wastepaper, wood, vegetative material, or any other flammable material, in the air on any open premises or in a receptacle where emissions are released directly into the air without passing through a chimney or stack. Generally, any time you light a fire outdoors you are open burning.

2. Why does the state require permits for open burning?

The State of Colorado and Routt County regulate open burning to help protect public health and the environment in Colorado. Open burning pollutes the air and poses a fire hazard. The air pollution created can cause serious health problems, obscure visibility, soil nearby surfaces, and create annoying odors.

3. What types of open burning are permissible with a permit?

• Burning of yard waste that does not include salvageable wood or tree stumps
  
• Burning of slash piles