Before you burn in Mitchell County.
Start with the current County rules, complete the annual registration process when required, and notify Communications before a controlled burn.
Need to conduct a controlled burn?
The County’s current website gives burn information unusual prominence, including a persistent Burn Questions & Answers destination and a dedicated Emergency Management registration path. This redesign keeps that information one click away while making the steps easier to follow.
Four steps before ignition.
This sequence reflects Mitchell County’s current published registration and notification process. Always verify the current County source before acting.
- 01
Review the current burn rules
Read Mitchell County Resolution 25-26, the Kansas open-burning appendix and the County burn questions and answers before registering.
- 02
Complete the annual burn registration / permit process
The current County process requires an annual burn permit for controlled burns. The County registration page collects the responsible person and acknowledgment information.
- 03
Notify County Communications before ignition
The current County instructions require the registration form to be submitted at least 30 minutes before calling Mitchell County Communications at 785-738-3523.
- 04
Begin within the approved notification window
After notifying Communications, a controlled burn must begin within 60 minutes or an updated start time must be provided.
Conditions that can stop a burn.
Resolution 25-26 and its appendices distinguish enforceable requirements from strongly recommended safety practices. The summary here highlights the requirements residents are most likely to need quickly.
Read the complete current resolution and appendices ↗- Controlled burns require an annual Mitchell County burn permit.
- Notify Mitchell County Communications at 785-738-3523 on the day of the burn before ignition.
- Controlled burns are prohibited on Red Flag days.
- For agricultural open burning, current rules require surface winds between 5 and 15 mph and relative humidity above 30%.
- Burn during the allowed daylight window and attend the fire until it is extinguished.
- Do not burn prohibited materials such as tires, plastics, treated wood or structures.
- Immediately report an out-of-control fire to 911.
Know which rules apply to the fire you are planning.
The County publishes a longer definitions and Q&A page because controlled, agricultural, recreational and household-trash burning are not treated identically.
Do I need an annual permit?
Mitchell County’s current Resolution 25-26 requires an annual County burn permit before a controlled burn. The County’s Burn Registration Form is the current online starting point.
When do I call Communications?
The County says to notify Mitchell County Communications before each controlled burn. The current registration page instructs users to submit the annual form at least 30 minutes before calling 785-738-3523.
What about Red Flag warnings?
Controlled burns are prohibited on Red Flag days under the current County resolution. Fire District Chiefs may also declare no-burn days based on weather and public-safety conditions.
Are recreational fires treated the same way?
The County Q&A describes recreational fires separately and states they do not require registration, prior authorization or permission, while still imposing safety conditions and burn-ban restrictions. Review the current Q&A for the definition before relying on that exception.
What materials cannot be burned?
The current rules prohibit materials including tires, oils and plastics, treated lumber, structures or buildings, and waste that produces excessive smoke or toxic emissions. Use the complete resolution and Q&A for the authoritative list.
Use the County’s public-safety contacts.
For regulatory questions, use the current Emergency Management burn resources. For day-of-burn notification, contact Mitchell County Communications.