It's almost that time when Mesa County's skies start to fill with a bit more smoke.

The spring open burning season begins on March, 1st, and there are a few things you need to know to stay safe and legal before you act.

Local fire departments frequently respond to out-of-control fires that create unnecessary property loss and resource use, according to Mike Page with the Grand Junction Fire Department.

All residential and commercial open burning in Mesa County requires a permit from either a local fire department or from the Mesa County Health Department, according to officials.

Permits cost $15 and are good for both the spring and the falls seasons. Grand Junction residents can stop by the Fire Administration office at 333 West Ave., Building E, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to buy a permit.

Health officials said some fire districts also require permits for agricultural burning and/or notification of burns prior to ignition; check with your local fire department for details.

If you live in one of the following areas, you should contact your local fire department  to get your open burning permit:

• Fruita/Loma (Lower Valley)
  
• Grand Junction
  
• Clifton
  
• Palisade
  
• DeBeque
  

You should contact the Mesa County Health Department for open burning permits if you live in East and Central Orchard Mesa or in Whitewater/Lands End Fire Protection District.

Allowed Materials:

Agricultural debris, dry weeds, garden debris, tree, shrub or brush trimmings less than once inch in diameter and recreational bonfires using clean (untreated) wood for fuel.

Prohibited Materials:

Leaves, grass trimmings, limbs greater than once inch in diameter, garbage or household trash, construction or demolition waste, rubber, plastic, waste petroleum, or other materials that release toxic smoke.

For more information about open burning, you can call Mesa County Health and Human Services at (970) 248-6966, or visit http://www.mesacounty.us.

There are alternatives to open burning as well; such as composting, the free day at the landfill (typically near the end of March), or spring cleanup with the City of Grand Junction.

Fire officials said they're seeing an increase in the number of emergency medical responses due to smoke from open burning.

In an effort to keep residents healthy and maintain the quality of our environment, firefighters strongly encourage you to use

The Mesa County Organic Materials Composting facility at Mesa County Solid Waste, located at 3071 U.S. Highway 50.

According to health officials, the facility accepts the following organic materials for composting free of charge: Grass clippings, tree limbs, unpainted/untreated lumber, hay and/or straw.

The composting facility is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You can call (970) 255-0754 for more information about composting.

The open burn season runs from March, 1, through May, 31st.