ESRFPD to vote on new ordinance
The Edgar Springs Rural Fire Protection District (ESRFPD) will meet on April 6, 2026. One item on their agenda will be the second reading and vote on an ordinance to establish regulations for open burning. The proposed ordinance was posted on the district’s Facebook page on March 19, and discussions via comments on the post were welcomed, as long as they were respectful and civil.
General Provisions:
The purpose of the Ordinance is to promote and enhance the public health, safety, comfort and general welfare of the citizens of the Edgar Springs Rural Fire Protection District, and to provide for a district wide ban of open fires when the Fire Chief or acting Fire Chief of the Edgar Springs Rural Fire Protection District, U.S. Forest Service, Missouri Department of Conservation, or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources determine conditions to be unsafe for open fires.
Burn Bans:
• The ESRFPD shall have the authority and power to order a temporary District wide open burning ban for all the areas of the ESRFPD.
• Each order shall state what conditions warrant such open burning ban.
• Each order shall require notice prior to the order being imposed, by contacting the Rolla radio stations and newspapers, and through publication on social media by the district. A red flag will be raised at the station to show a burn ban is in place.
• A burn ban will be issued when the wind speed is 10 mph or more, or if the humidity levels are or will be dropping below 30%, or if a Red Flag Warning is issued, each per the National Weather Service for zip code 65462. It will also be issued if there is a dry spell or if the Dept. of Conservation, Dept. of Natural Resources or the U.S. Forest Service requests no burning.
• Any open burning ban shall remain in effect for no longer than thirty days. The Fire Chief may extend or rescind the open burning ban if necessary.
• Those found to have violated the ordinance shall be charged of a misdemeanor and shall be ordered to pay all damages caused by the burning and for the actual and reasonable cost of services by the ESRFPD, not to exceed $100.00 for responding to each fire call and $250.00 for each hour or a proportional sum for each quarter hour spent combatting the fire.
Burn Policy:
• Solid waste can only be burned in an approved incinerator or unless a variance is obtained from the appropriate air pollution control agency.
• Large brush piles, tree trunks, limbs, vegetation from land clearing operations, and agricultural burning must be at least 200 feet from the nearest dwelling.
• Open burning of household refuse is allowed on residential premises with four dwelling units or less, as long as it is burned on the individual’s own property. This does not apply to mobile home parks or apartment complexes.
• You may not burn home remodeling waste, waste from home businesses, durable goods like appliances, carpets and furniture, and tires. Tires or used oil may not be used to start fires or be burned in fires. Trade waste and salvage operations are not allowed to be burned.
• Burning which may cause a hazard to vehicular or air traffic is not permitted.
• No structures may be burned in place for demolition purposes.
The ordinance specifies that someone over the age of 18 must be present when burning and must remain until the fire is completely extinguished.
Under the ordinance, contractors and business owners will need to obtain authorization from the ESRFPD prior to burning. Furthermore, anyone doing open burning should notify the ESRFPD at 573-797-4539 beforehand. This will prevent the department from being called to a controlled burn unnecessarily. The caller may be asked to contact Central Communications at the Rolla Police Department.
If you have questions about the proposed ordinance, please contact the fire department at 573-797-4539, or you may email esrfpd.ofc@gmail.com. You may also comment about the ordinance on their Facebook page.
