Porter Emergency Services

Open Burning Information

With the onset of spring weather comes lawn cleanup projects. Everyone wants to get all the branches and brush cleaned up from our ice and wind damage this past winter. A couple of guidelines can help pkeep you and other residents, and property safe from potential fire and health hazards.

State Law and Township ordinances REQUIRE that permits be obtained for open burning. ANY open fire that is 3ft by 3ft or larger will be enforced by the Townships and the Fire Department. No open burning is permitted less than 50ft. From any structure. Burning containers for household paper refuse may not be closer than 10ft. To any structure. Burn permits may be issued for the disposal of brush, paper and the like. Burning of materials from commercial manufacturing, or construction projects is not permitted.

Spring weather rapidly changes the risk of wildfire, and potential health risks as well. Several homes have been lost in the area in past years due to accidental fires caused by open burning during high risk periods. Wildfires were also responsible for more injuries to porter firefighters in 2001 than other any other activities.

Open Burn Permits can be obtained from the Porter Fire Department, Weekdays by calling (616) 641-7100. Your burn materials may have to be inspected before a permit is issued, this may require up to 5 days notice, and the Department may revoke a burn permit at any time, if it is deemed that the burn may pose undue risk to Life, Health, Property, or your materials are not included in the list of allowable materials for open burning.

Burn Bans may be issued from time to time when conditions are deemed by the Fire Chief to be “High Risk.” During this time NO open burning is allowed, and all permits are revoked. Burning bans are posted on the Fire Departments sign on US 12, as well as on their web page at www.ptfd.org.