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Yard waste burn ban temporarily lifted

The yard waste burn ban in the City of Fort Dodge will be temporarily lifted from Saturday through Nov. 8. These temporary burning regulations only apply to yard waste. Yard waste shall be defined as leaves, grass clippings, straw, twigs, small branches, and garden vegetation generated only on this property. No burning of trash, waste materials such as garbage, paper, rags, cartons, tin cans, food, discarded furniture, tires or wire.

Fire pile(s) size shall be less than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. The yard waste fire shall not be conducted within 25 feet of any structure or combustible material. Fire piles shall be restricted to no more than three per lot. A minimum separation of 5 feet shall be maintained between piles.

Operational requirements for any type of yard waste fire:

1. A responsible adult who is capable of controlling the fire, taking emergency action, and calling for assistance is required at the site at all times.

2. An operable garden hose connected to a water supply shall be provided. If water is not available, approved on site fire extinguishing equipment shall be on hand to control and extinguish the fire.

3. Burning shall be extinguished by sunset nightly.

4. Any open burning determined to be a fire hazard or smoke nuisance by the fire or police departments will be extinguished.

5. Burning shall be suspended when sustained winds are in the excess of 15 miles per hour.

6. No burning shall be conducted in city-owned alleys, public streets, or parks.

7. No gasoline or diesel may be utilized to start a fire.

8. Disposing of any yard waste onto public streets, alleys, parks, and/or public ways is strictly prohibited.

What to do with my yard waste if I choose not to burn:

Yard waste is accepted at the City of Fort Dodge yard waste site located at 3001 8th Avenue South. Hours of operation are 8:00 am until noon on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 8:00 am until 4:00 pm on Saturday. The site is closed on Wednesday.

Curbside collection of yard waste is done on a call-in basis and on Fridays only. Residents can use the Connect Fort Dodge app from their mobile device, click the “Report a Concern” icon at www.fortdodgeiowa.org or call 515-955-6139 to request pickup. Requests must be made by noon on Thursday for Friday pickup. Residents must place yard waste out for collection by 6 a.m. on Friday. No yard waste is collected during holiday weeks. Yard waste must be placed in Kraft paper bags. Tree branches must be in bundles no larger than 18 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length. Branches must be no larger than 4 inches in diameter. Bags and bundles may not exceed 50 pounds each. Orange yard waste stickers are not required in 2020.

If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact the Fort Dodge Fire Department at 515-576-1031.

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