Public Hearings 19.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Emergency Services
- Meeting Date:
- 08/26/2014
- Title:
- County Open Burning Restriction
- Submitted By:
- Norm Sturm, Emergency Services
- Department:
- Emergency Services
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
1
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Norm Sturm
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Emergency Services Coordinator
Docket Number (If applicable):
Mandated Function?:
Not Mandated
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Adopt Ordinance 046-14, authorizing the Prohibition of Open Fire and Campfires in the Unincorporated Areas of Cochise County, establishing procedures for the enactment of prohibitions and prescribing penalties for violations.
Background:
Wildfire is the chief natural hazard in southeast Arizona. It is not unusual for Cochise County to have the highest seasonal wildfire threat in the State. Federal, state, and local entities typically place restrictions on outside open burning during times of high wildfire threats to help reduce the danger to persons, animals and property. The proposed county burn restriction ordinance is intended to restrict the use of outdoor open flames during times of extreme wildfire danger in unincorporated Cochise County. The ordinance covers unincorporated Cochise County where no other fire jurisdiction exists. Where other fire ordinances and/or jurisdictions exist, those would take precedence. Implementation of the ordinance follows the recommendations of the Southeast Zone, Arizona Fire Restriction Committee. This committee meets regularly during wildfire season to set standard restrictions for State and Federal lands. The ordinance has been vetted by the County Attorney and District Forester. Currently most fire departments and municipalities as well as all Federal and State parks within Cochise County have some sort of open burning ordinance in place to restrict most types of open burning during times of high wildfire hazard. However unincorporated property within Cochise County not within the jurisdiction of a fire district has no means to restrict open burning during these dangerous periods.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
-If approved a press release should be distributed to media outlets outlining the ordinance. -Municipal and public safety agencies throughout the county should be briefed on the ordinance. -Provisions of the ordinance will be implemented as wildfire conditions dictate.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
Without this ordinance there is no mechanism for restricting dangerous open burning in unincorporated areas of the County during times of extreme wildfire danger.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Record signed ordinance and give a copy to Emergency Services. Pursuant to A.R.S. 11-251.05(c) the complete ordinance needs to be published in the newspaper. Have Board staff submit to newspaper.