A. For purposes of this section, “open burning” means the burning of combustible materials in such a manner that the products of combustion are emitted directly to the outside atmosphere.
B. A municipal fire department may engage in controlled open burning of a structure for purposes of fire training if the records of the department document the purpose of the open burn and the following conditions are met:
1. The municipal fire chief or designee shall provide notification of the planned open burn to the Department of Environmental Quality at least ten (10) days prior to the burning. The notification shall be on a form developed by the Department, document that the provisions of this section are satisfied and be signed by the municipal fire chief;
2. For any human-made structure, the entire structure, including, but not limited to, insulation, roofing, flooring, painted surfaces and plumbing, shall be examined for the presence of asphalt, asbestos and lead-containing materials. All asphalt, asbestos and lead-containing materials shall be removed from the structure prior to the fire training. Asbestos inspection and removal shall be conducted according to the requirements of federal law;
3. Any human-made structure demolished pursuant to the provisions of this act shall not be demolished prior to the fire training. Demolition shall not include structural deterioration due to natural causes;
4. Prior to conducting any fire training involving a human-made structure located within three hundred (300) feet of another human-made structure, the municipality shall notify in writing the owners of the property located within three hundred (300) feet within ten (10) days prior to a meeting of the governing body of the municipality to provide an opportunity for public comment; and
5. Following the completion of fire training, all debris resulting from the training must be disposed of in the appropriate manner.
C. The Board of Environmental Quality shall have the authority to promulgate rules as may be necessary to implement the purposes of this section.
Added by Laws 2003, c. 238, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2003.