Frequently Asked Questions

What You Need a Burn Permit For

Geary County rural residents are issued burn permits for the following instances:

• Burning brush piles
• Burning fallen wood
• Crop management

Household trash burning in the unincorporated areas of the county does not require a burn permit as long as the trash is burned in a metal can or barrel with a screen covering or in a pit.

What Permits Will Not Be Issued For

Permits will not be issued for the burning of debris to include:

• Lumber
• Lumber products
• Shingles
• Tires

Fires

All fires must be monitored until the fire is out!

Large Quantities of Timber

Permits issued through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is required for large amounts of timber. We can assist in filling out the paperwork, but please be aware that it can take several days to receive a state permit.

Any resident desiring a burn permit in Geary County must make an application for the permit Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Geary County Emergency Management Office located at 236 E 8th Street. There is no charge for a burn permit. Information needed for the application includes:

• Name
• Telephone number and address of the applicant
• Location of the burn site 

Once the permit is issued, it is in effect for the calendar year. Permits expire when not in use for over two years.

Prior to starting a burn, the person wishing to burn must call the Geary County Emergency Management at 785-238-1290 and receive permission to burn. 

You will need to provide the following information when calling in your burn:

• Name
• Burn permit number
• Location of burn
• The start time of burn

Please note that if wind speeds are predicted to be at 15 miles per hour or higher, there will be a ban on burning for that day! This is a state regulation.

There are several instances when permission can be denied for burning. Such reasons can include but are not limited to the following:

• Weather forecast
• Wind speed
• Other burns out of control
• Any other unforeseen conditions

If you do not receive permission to burn, do not start the fire! 

If you have a fire get out of control, call 9-1-1. Do not call Geary County Emergency Services.

The Geary County Emergency Management Facebook Page has a website gives residents an update when burning is not allowed.  Those wanting to burn will still need to call into the office at 785-238-1290, so their burn can be recorded.