The Newton Fire Department would like to remind those doing yard work during the warmer weather that open burning is not allowed within City limits.
Open burning is the process of burning any materials where the products of combustion pass directly into the open air without going through a chimney or stack. This includes, but is not limited to: Burning leaves or brush piles, garbage, tires or rubber products, paint or used oil, plastic, and any household material that can be recycled. Residents can still have a recreational fire (campfire) as long it is kept in a 4-foot (or smaller) ring and flames are kept below 2 feet in height.
Alternatives to open burning include:
- Disposing of leaves, small twigs less than one-quarter inch in diameter, garden waste, weeds and hedge trimmings at the Newton Sanitary Landfill at no charge (if the resident dumps the container). Grass clippings may be delivered to the Newton Sanitary Landfill for a minimal fee.
- Using the City of Newton yard waste bags that can be collected during regular curbside trash pick-up during the week. These bags may contain leaves, small twigs less than one-quarter inch in diameter, garden waste, weeds and hedge trimmings.
- Leaving recyclable paper in plastic in recycling bins for collection at the curb on the same day as normal trash collection.
- Composting yard waste to provide soil and mulch for gardens and plants.
Violating the open burning ordinance means that residents are subject to a fine of $50 plus court costs for the first offense; $150 plus court costs for the second offense; and up to $500 plus court costs for the third or subsequent offense.
