The new year will bring several changes to the rules governing outdoor burning.

The county’s fire agencies have collaborated to create a streamlined universal burning permit form that, ultimately, will be available on-line. Until then, we’ll begin using the new carbonless-copy forms Jan. 1.

Permits will be available free at any staffed fire station in the county. In addition to improving the permitting process, we’ve simplified outdoor burn rules. Beyond the permanent prohibition on land-clearing fires (fires of more than 10-feet by 10-feet for the purpose of clearing land) we will no longer require permits for recreational fires which are defined as three-foot-by-three-foot-by-two-foot in designated fire pits, and containing only dry seasoned firewood or charcoal.

Permits for fires up to four-foot-by-four-foot and containing natural vegetation (clippings, branches, leaves, etc.) will be good until the end of 2009, while permits for larger natural vegetation fires will only be good for two weeks.

CPR and First Aid Class

Join us to learn these important skills in January at the Paul T. Nichol Headquarters fire station (26642 Miller Bay Road NE near Kingston). An Adult, Child and Infant CPR class will be held 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Jan. 20. A first aid class will be held 6-10 p.m. Jan. 21. Tuition is $20 per class. To reserve a spot, tuition must be paid in advance. For more information, contact us at (360) 297-3619.

Prepping Your Pipes

December’s deep freeze left some knee-deep in water after the thaw when pipes froze and fractured. Take the opportunity between cold snaps to check that all pipes are insulated from the effects of sustained low temperatures.