Controlled Burn Guidelines

These guidelines cover open burning and agricultural open burning. Open burning includes brush, trash, and debris piles, as well as vegetation residue and dried plant growth collected and piled. Agricultural open burning is the burning of cultivated crop residue, pasture, CRP, and other similar types of materials. Fires such as those conducted in a fireproof container with ember restricting cover, fire pits, warming fires, camp fires, or other recreational fires are exempt from these guidelines.

Approval for controlled burns may be provided if the following guidelines are met:

• By calling 620-694-2800 within 30 minutes of starting to burn
• No burn ban is in effect
• The wind speed (including gusts) is less than 15 mph (for non-agricultural burns only)
• The Grassland Fire Danger Index is not Very High or Extreme
• A fire break of at least 20 feet is provided on all sides of the field to be burned
• Clearance of 100 feet from all structures is maintained
• The burn shall be supervised by a responsible adult until the threat of fire is diminished
• Initiation of a burn is not allowed earlier than one hour before sunrise or two hours prior to sunset.

Emergency Order 20-03

Linked are documents Emergency Order 20-03 and Order Extending Emergency Order 20-03 regarding county-wide burn ban during COVID-19.

Emergency Order 20-03 (PDF)

Order Extending Emergency Order 20-03 (PDF)

Other Restrictions

Restricted Materials: The following materials may not be burned: heavy smoke producing materials such as heavy oils, tires, pallets, railroad and bridge lumber, treated lumber, roof shingles, wire insulation, plastics, rubber, or other materials.

Entire Resolution Governing Controlled Burning in Reno County (PDF)

Helpful Links

Before starting your burn, use the links below to check fire weather conditions and the Grassland Fire Danger Index:

• Weather Activity Planner
• Hourly Weather Forecast Graph
• Weather Conditions for Hutchinson, Hutchinson Municipal Airport, KS
• Wichita fire weather information
• Reno County Grassland Fire Danger Index
• Kansas Forest Service Grassland Fire Danger Index
• Table to assist in determining Grasslands Fire Danger Index (PDF)