It’s not an uncommon call for the Fort Dodge Fire Department. Someone is reporting a fire, smoke or a nuisance burning odor that turns out to be a resident burning a pile of leaves, brush or even garbage.

During most of the year, doing that in Fort Dodge is illegal.

On occasion, it’s even caused a bigger problem according to Fire Chief Steve Hergenreter.

“We’ve had structures actually catch on fire.” he said.

For a week, from Saturday to Nov. 11, the city ban on burning yard waste will be temporarily lifted to allow residents to dispose of those materials.

The materials that can be burned are quite specific and limited. Only yard waste, which is leaves, grass clippings, straw, twigs, small branches and garden vegetation generated on the property, may be burned.

The burning of other material, such as trash, waste materials like paper, rags, cartons, tin cans, food, discarded furniture, construction debris, tires and wire, is not allowed.

There are also restrictions on the size of the fire.

Each pile must be less than three feet in diameter and two feet tall. The burning may not take place within 25 feet of a structure or other combustible material. There can be no more that three piles per lot and there has to be at least 5 feet between piles.

Hergenreter also encourages residents to be considerate of their neighbors. Not everyone enjoys the smell of burning leaves and some have respiratory conditions, such as asthma, that are aggravated by smoke.

“Please be mindful of your neighbors and the wind conditions.” he said.

There are a number of other conditions residents need to be aware of before lighting up the leaf pile.

• A garden hose connected to a water supply or on site fire extinguishing equipment is required.

• Burning needs to be extinguished by sunset.

• Any open burning determined to be a fire hazard or smoke nuisance by firefighters or police will be extinguished.

• Burning is suspended if sustained winds exceed 15 mph.

• No burning in city owned alleys, public streets or parks.

• No flammable or combustible liquids may be used to start the fire.

• Disposal of any yard waste onto public streets, alleys, parks or public ways is strictly prohibited.

Hergenreter said that his department prefers to educate residents rather than cite anyone, which, in an extreme case can be done if there’s a violation.

“We typically try to do a little education.” he said. “We would much rather educate than cite.”

For residents who choose not to burn their waste, it’s accepted at the city of Fort Dodge yard waste site at 3001 Eighth Ave. S. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Saturday hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The site is closed on Wednesday.

Curbside collection of yard waste is also done on a call-in basis on Friday only. Contact the city at 955-6139 or use the Connect Fort Dodge app on a smart phone.