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(1) Burn on days when the wind is blowing at moderate speed
away from the community.
(2) Don’t let residents go to the dump during
the smoky period.
(3) Don’t start cleanup activities until
several days after the burn, to avoid people getting
hurt from flare-ups.
 (4) Be prepared to pass out face masks to
residents if the smoke starts blowing to the village. If the fire
can’t
be put out, surgical masks from the clinic offer at least
some protection. Elders and people with respiratory conditions
should stay indoors.
(5) Tell residents who rely on traditional water
sources located in the smoke area to fill up before the burn, and
not to go back for about a week after.
 (6) Staff
the dump during the burn to ensure no one goes there, and
to ensure the fire does not spread.
Protect this worker with a high quality face mask fitted with
filter cartridges.
For information on buying face masks
and safety gear, click on the mask to the left.
(7) If you have vegetated area around the main
dump area, you need to protect it. Plants there help filter out contaminants and prevent erosion. Try berming or wetting the area
if possible.
(8) Wear protective gear and sturdy boots and
look for and remove all hazardous wastes that you see before
burning – especially
batteries – the likelihood of lead and other heavy metal contamination
from batteries will increase if left on the ground and
burned.
(9) If you have access to water hoses, do not flush
the area with water after the burn, runoff will be heavily
contaminated. Light wetting to settle ash is useful,
if possible. If not flooded
out, many contaminants, such as a large portion of heavy
metals, will eventually bind to soil, and stay out of the
water.
 (10) Take care that you do not endanger nesting
waterfowl in the area. If a stream nearby is important
for spawning, take extra care to avoid creating any erosion or runoff.
(11) Ask your friendly agency
person if you are uncertain whether burning is a good idea
for your situation. If you don’t know someone you feel comfortable
asking, contact:
Joe Sarcone, EPA rural coordinator
271-1316
Or call
us! We can find you an expert to ask or we can ask for
you. We don’t need to
tell them your name or the name of your Village…
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Quality regulations, open burning of anything but
paper or untreated wood is illegal!
