The Federal Air Rules for Reservations (FARR) General Open Burning Rule 49.131 allows Fire Protection Services to request permission from the Regional Administrator to conduct an outdoor burn used by qualified personnel to train firefighters in the methods of fire suppression and fire fighting techniques, provided that the provisions of the rule are followed.
Prior to requesting permission, you must notify any appropriate Tribal air pollution authority and obtain any permissions or approvals required by the Tribe, and by any other governments with applicable laws and ordinances.
(1) The appropriate Fire Protection Service should send a written request for a training fire with the following information:
- Fire Protection Service requestor's contact information
- Name
- Mailing address
- Email
- Phone number
- Date(s) of the training
- Physical location(s) of the training (list street address(es))
- Telephone contact information for the responsible party the day of the training fire (eg. cell phone)
- A statement that the requestor has read and understands the requirements of 40.131(c)(4). Learn more about the FARR rules.
The written request may be sent by the Fire Protection Service via mail, fax and/or email. Direct correspondence to:
Region 10 Regional Administrator
c/o FARR Hotline
US EPA Region 10, OAWT 107
1200 6th Ave. Suite 900
Seattle WA 98101
FARR Hotline email: R10_FARRHotline@epa.gov
Call the FARR Hotline at 1-800-424-4EPA for additional instructions on how to mail or fax the request.
The authority to grant permission for this training fire has been delegated from the Regional Administrator to the managers of the State and Tribal Air Programs Unit and the Federal and Delegated Air Programs Unit, pursuant to Region 10 Delegation R10 7-40. You will receive an email from one of the Unit Managers granting permission or requesting additional information. Be sure to take a copy of the email giving permission for the training fire to your burn site to present to inspectors or others who request it.
(2) Prior to igniting any structure, the fire protection service must ensure that the structure does not contain asbestos or asbestos-containing materials. The asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations (PDF, 2pp., 13KB) apply to single family homes to be burned for training purposes.
Submit the Asbestos Form: U.S. EPA Notification of Demolition and Renovation (PDF, 2pp., 21KB) to EPA, Region 10, via mail or fax at least 10 working days prior to the burn to:
Michele Wright , Asbestos Coordinator
EPA Region 10, CE-127
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
Fax: (206) 553-0110
Contact Michele Wright at (206) 553-1747 if you have questions about the forms or asbestos regulations.
(3) Prior to igniting any structure, the fire protection service must also ensure that the structure does not contain batteries; stored chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, paints, glues, sealers, tars, solvents, household cleaners, or photographic reagents; stored linoleum, plastics, rubber, tires, or insulated wire; or hazardous wastes. Training fires are not allowed to smolder after the training session has terminated.
(4) Prior to igniting any fire, you should determine there are no burn bans in place (for air quality or fire safety). You should document that air quality conditions are conducive to an outdoor burn and that steps are taken to protect the public and sensitive populations (like schools, hospitals and elder homes) from smoke impacts.
(5) Please give the FARR Hotline (1-800-424-4EPA) advance notice of when you plan to conduct the burning so we will have the opportunity to send an inspector to observe and respond appropriately to any inquiries about the activity.
(6) Please let EPA know when the training fire is completed and how the training fire went with respect to smoke dispersion and any noted impacts to local areas. |