(Spirit Lake)– The Spirit Lake city council Tuesday reviewed a proposed ordinance that would ban open burning. It’s modeled after a similar ordinance in Spencer.
It provides exceptions for recreational fires that would have to be attended to at all times, disaster rubbish when an officially declared emergency exists, training fires, incinerators that are licensed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and open burning by permit.
It’s the latter provision that caught the attention of Spirit Lake Fire Chief Wally Jorgenson. Under the original language, it would be up to Public Works Director Todd Dolphin or a designee to issue a permit. Jorgenson told the council he’s upset the Fire Department was left out of the process, saying if anyone in the city has any expertise when it comes to fires, it would be the Fire Department. The council agreed and decided to change the wording to give the authority of issuing permits to the Fire Chief or his designee.
Action on the proposed ordinance was deferred to the council’s next meeting so the language can be fine tuned.
Copies of the proposed ordinance are available at city hall.
