Previous Story
Issuance of burning permits resumes at DPS
|
Posted on Jan 15 2009
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Santiago F. Tudela has lifted the suspension of the issuance of burning permits.
In a memorandum issued Wednesday to DPS Fire Prevention Section officer-in-charge Lt. Kevin Aldan, Tudela directed that open burning will now be allowed, in accordance with the Uniform Fire Code, effective immediately.
Tudela did not explain in the memo the reason behind the lifting of the suspension, but instructed Aldan to work with DPS public information officer Lei Ogumoro to advise the public of the new directive.
At yesterday’s press conference, Firefighter 2 Dan Suel said Tudela lifted the suspension because DPS heard a lot of issues such as people having a hard time taking their debris to the transfer station.
Suel, however, emphasized that the burning permit still has restrictions on what can and cannot be burned.
“If we find people who are burning plastics [which is prohibited in the burning permit] we will stop that,” Suel said.
Last September, then acting DPS Commissioner Dolores San Nicolas suspended the issuance of burning permits as well as all previously issued permits due to complaints that smoke emissions could pose a danger to public health.
DPS also suspended the open burning of trash or vegetation.
Suel said Tudela gave them a memo that directed them to go ahead and start issuing burning permits to agricultural and residential areas.
“We are to strictly enforce the permits, most especially in residential areas or where the houses are very close to each other,” he said.
He said they will strictly enforce rules on the fire’s distance from homes and the height of the pile of debris that could be burned.
He said people who want to get more information about the burning permit should call the Fire Station in Susupe at 664-9003 or 4.
Suel also disclosed that maybe after Jan. 20, 2009, DPS will start charging a $5 burning permit fee.
He added that people should be cautious when burning, especially during the dry season from January to July.
