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Development Director, there was a fire on the pronerty. Thc property ov,'~-,er is now attempting to dispose of the dat..aged tree~ while b',finlz re',distic about the amoum o: money that can be spent doing so. In response to the City's concerns: F&R does not want to ignite unburned trees: tM: proposed burn si~:.s will more than meet PCA's minimum 600 feet distance :equirement from anx other residential dwellings. F&R's proposes to construct two burning pits approximately 40-60 feet in length and width. Bern'ts woulF be constructed around the pits to reduce fire contact with wind and prevent visibilir,, of thy fire from roadways to avoid traffic slow downs by onlookers. The berms would also be used to smother the fire if it becomes necessary. In addition, a water tank will Dc pieced cm the site so water is available to put out the fire upo~ order or if an), fire escapes from the burning site. It is estimated that there are 170-250 truck loads of trees to be burned. Mr. Tom Sauter, the proposed bur'. contracior, has 15 ),ears contracting experience and sen, es on thc Anol::~ Fire Depanmen: Mr. Sauter estimates that the trees can be burnea in 7 days, depending_ on weather conditio~:.s; burning would not occur on windy days. "Tom 5auter. proposed contractor for the burn project, was present and stated that he agrees with Fire Chief Hoeke's concerns and that there is a potential fire hazard; and he is willing to address Mr. Hoeke's safety concerns and exercise extreme control and supervison during the bur:ting. Mr. Sauter stated that exporting the material is too expensive and no chipping companies want to chip trees that have been down and are full of sand. The trees in their current state arc a fire hazard and the sooner the problem is approached, the sooner the problem will be eliminated. The plan is to burn slow, have water available and shut down burning when there are high wind conditions; if the burn permit is issued, extreme caution wouid be used. Councilmember Pearson inquired as to the plan for the living trees west of where the fire occurred. Mr. Haik rep!tM that in the area to which Councilmember Pearson refers, there is a mixture of living and slightly burned trees; in the interest of efficiency, all the trees would be cleared out and then the property will be ready for development. Councilmember Peterson inquired as to how the smoke from the fire will be controlled. Mr. Hail: replied that a ho~ and clean fire is anticipated because the pines are extremely dr),. Mr. Haik reiterated that to export the trees off ute property is beyond F&R's economic means; chipping would require a significant number of manhours to down and trim standing trees; chipping contractors are also reluctant to bid on the job because the trees that are down are full of sand and it ruins the chipper blades. /vlr. Goodrict~ inquired if disposal of the trees at the Anoka County Diseased Tree Disposal site has been researched. Ivh'.Haik replied that the Count), site only accepts diseased trees. ]Xir. Sauter stated that he also has been in contact with the Anoka County Diseased Tree Department anF they do :~ot have tht. space to bum such a large amount of trees. lVL,'. Hartlev noted that i: has been proposed to burn 250 truck loads of trees in 7 days; this averages out to burning a truckload per hour between the two pits. Mr. Henley inquired as to the kind of fu-e that would result from this rapid of a burn. C/ty Council/June 27, 1989 Page 6 of i5