The Idaho Department of Lands is test-driving a new online burn permit system that offers residents an easier, free way to legally burn yard waste. It's also changing the way many fire districts and towns are handling burn permits.

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, which serves Post Falls, Dalton Gardens, Fernan Village, Huetter, Wolf Lodge and Stateline, stopped issuing permits Jan. 1 in favor of the IDL's new system, on a one-year trial basis.

Dan Ryan, KCFR division chief, said he decided to test the IDL system because it places less burden on residents.

"Our customers were required to come into our office to get the permit because we do not accept credit cards," Ryan said. "They spent more money on gas to get here than the permit costs them."

KCFR issued about 1,200 burn permits annually, at a cost of $1 to $10 each. The IDL permits are free, and valid for 10 days.

KCFR officials said residents without Internet access can go to a local library to go online for a permit. Or, they can visit the KCFR administration office in Post Falls for assistance.

Hauser Lake Fire Protection District was the first in the area to try the IDL permit system, and Chief Larry Simms told The Press it has worked well so far.

Coeur d'Alene Fire, which issues 10-day burn permits for $2, will continue to operate its own program, but hasn't ruled out changing to the IDL system in the future, said Glenn Lauper, deputy fire chief.

"We anticipate joining this pilot burn permit project after the IDL Internet-based system has been tested and properly vetted with other local fire districts," Lauper said.

Northern Lakes, which serves Hayden and Rathdrum, and Timberlake, which covers Athol and Bayview, don't issue burn permits and will continue to operate that way. Residents in those districts, however, are required to keep a printed copy of the current burn regulations on hand when they are burning.

Although IDL only requires burn permits to be issued from May 10 to Oct. 20 of each year - the rest of the year is considered open burning - KCFR requires residents to obtain permits year-round, as it gives firefighters a better idea of who is burning and where and it keeps people informed of air quality and fire danger issues.

More info

• Idaho Department of Lands

burnpermits.idaho.gov

• Northern Lakes Fire District

www.northernlakesfire.com

• Kootenai County Fire and Rescue

www.kootenaifire.com

777-8500