The Leighton Township Fire Department, as well as other departments in northeast Allegan County, are reminding residents they must call a county number to obtain a burning permit.
A department press release issued today said, “With the nice weather forecasted this week we’re all thinking of spring cleanup and burning leaves, sticks and yard waste. As a reminder only natural materials can be burned and the fire must be attended at all times with a water source. If you plan on burning please call for a burn permit by following the below instructions.
This permit is good for brush, shrubs, and leaves only. You must have a source of water nearby and the fire must be attended at all times. If the burn gets out of control and requires a fire department response you may be held liable for any costs incurred.
To obtain a Burn Permit call (269) 686-5222.
- Please listen and follow the instructions carefully; failure to do so will result in an invalid burn permit. If you have a touch tone phone and want a burn permit, it will prompt you to press 1, if you are calling from a rotary dial phone please stay on the line.
- If you live in the cities of Allegan, Wayland, Otsego or Plainwell, you cannot burn at all. Please contact your fire chief if you need further information.
• It will prompt you to press a number based upon the area of Allegan County that you are burning in; and after you have made that selection, it will further prompt you to press a number based on the individual township you are burning in.
• Press 3: Overisel, Heath, Monterey, or Salem Townships.
- Press 1: Overisel Township
- Press 2: Heath Township
- Press 3: Monterey Township
- Press 4: Salem Township
• Press 5: Leighton, Hopkins, Wayland, or Dorr Townships.
- Press 1: Leighton Township or Dorr Township east of US – 131
- Press 2: Hopkins Township
- Press 3: Wayland Township
- Press 4: Dorr Township West of US – 131
• Press 6: Watson, Martin, Otsego, or Gun Plain Township.
- Press 1: Watson Township
- Press 2: Martin Township
- Press 3: Otsego Township
- Press 4: Gun Plain Township
• Press 7: To repeat his menu.
The system will then ask you for your name, address that you will be burning at, phone number, and the township you are burning in, after you leave that information, you can disconnect.
Reminder: The burn permit is good for one day only, and that is the day that you call.