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The state’s environmental authority sent a letter which says a local fire company provided “inaccurate information” to residents regarding controlled burns.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sent the letter in early December to the White Mills Fire Company, as a reminder of what can or cannot be burned in Texas Township.
“Inaccurate information had been provided to residents by fire departments regarding burning and disposal of demolition waste,” the letter states.
DEP spokesman Mark Carmon said the letter referenced a packet of information, previously sent to fire companies in Wayne County, which laid down ground rules for controlled burns.
Fire companies must inquire as to what type of material would be burned when they receive notice of a controlled burn. If that material is not allowed under DEP regulations, then the caller should be notified, and asked to call DEP, the letter states.
White Mills Fire Company President John Haggarty said the letter was basically a reminder of the regulations for a controlled burn.
“We don’t tell people what they can or can’t burn,” Haggarty said. “That’s not our jurisdiction.”
Fire companies sometimes get permission to use houses set for demolition or abandoned houses for training purposes, something the White Mills Fire Company has not done in years, he said.
“We have a burning ordinance in the township which is probably more strict” than the DEP regulations, Haggarty said.
The regulations say solid waste cannot be burned without a permit from the DEP.
The letter states that fire companies must seek prior approval from the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy or the DEP for all fire-training exercises involving a demolition debris or structures.
A permit must be obtained from the DEP in order to burn solid wastes, and the letter says it is also illegal to dump or deposit solid waste above or under ground, expect certain farming practices exempt by the Environmental Quality Board. It is illegal to assist in any violation of the regulations, the letter states.
The state’s environmental authority sent a letter which says a local fire company provided “inaccurate information” to residents regarding controlled burns.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) sent the letter in early December to the White Mills Fire Company, as a reminder of what can or cannot be burned in Texas Township.
“Inaccurate information had been provided to residents by fire departments regarding burning and disposal of demolition waste,” the letter states.
DEP spokesman Mark Carmon said the letter referenced a packet of information, previously sent to fire companies in Wayne County, which laid down ground rules for controlled burns.
Fire companies must inquire as to what type of material would be burned when they receive notice of a controlled burn. If that material is not allowed under DEP regulations, then the caller should be notified, and asked to call DEP, the letter states.
White Mills Fire Company President John Haggarty said the letter was basically a reminder of the regulations for a controlled burn.
“We don’t tell people what they can or can’t burn,” Haggarty said. “That’s not our jurisdiction.”
Fire companies sometimes get permission to use houses set for demolition or abandoned houses for training purposes, something the White Mills Fire Company has not done in years, he said.
“We have a burning ordinance in the township which is probably more strict” than the DEP regulations, Haggarty said.
The regulations say solid waste cannot be burned without a permit from the DEP.
The letter states that fire companies must seek prior approval from the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy or the DEP for all fire-training exercises involving a demolition debris or structures.
A permit must be obtained from the DEP in order to burn solid wastes, and the letter says it is also illegal to dump or deposit solid waste above or under ground, expect certain farming practices exempt by the Environmental Quality Board. It is illegal to assist in any violation of the regulations, the letter states.
