McHenry Health Dep't Reminds Residents of Open Burning Waste Restrictions

From MCDH: McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) reminds county residents of the Public Health Ordinance restrictions regarding the open burning of landscape waste. Many municipalities may further restrict or prohibit open burning; please check with your municipality. Where a more restrictive Ordinance does not apply, the open burning of landscape waste is limited to Saturdays and Sundays in April, May, October and November from dawn to dusk. The burn area must be a minimum of 100 feet from any habitable structure and 50 feet from a detached garage, shed, barn or other non-habitable structure. Adult supervision throughout the duration of the burning until extinguished and having a water/extinguisher source available is required. No burning is permitted when winds are greater than 10 mph. Only landscape waste generated on the site may be burned. The burning of any materials other than landscape waste, such as garbage, paper, cardboard, construction materials or animal waste is prohibited.

MCDH encourages residents to consider more environmentally sound alternatives to open burning of landscape waste such as mulching, native landscaping, composting, using landscaping service companies, taking advantage of municipal solid waste haulers’ landscape waste collection services, and dropping off landscape waste at an approved composting facility or landscape waste transfer station in our county. These alternatives ensure landscape waste is beneficially reused as wood chips, wood mulch and compost, etc.

The Department of Health strives to provide a timely response to all complaints of open burning including some weekend responses. However, residents may also contact any local law enforcement or fire department or fire protection district with a complaint. Agencies who respond to open burning are responsible for a variety of issues. All responses are prioritized, and an immediate response is not always possible. To report a fire that is an emergency or life threatening, please dial 911. Complete details about the Ordinance, suggested alternatives, exemptions and bonfire permit applications are available on the Environmental Health section of our web site at www.mcdh.info or by calling 815-334-4585.

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