Longview Fire Marshal explains TCEQ guidelines for burning within city limits

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – Although Tuesday’s storm didn’t hit Longview as hard as other areas of East Texas, some tree limbs fell on some residents’ properties. And these need to be gotten rid of. Longview Fire Marshal Kevin May provides the dos and don’ts, most of which are not allowed, regarding arson fires within Longview city limits.

May checked out a tree debris fire that broke out on Monday, the day before the storm. May said the property owner was clearing his land and thought he was following burn parameters within city limits.

“If someone can follow the guidelines of TCEQ, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which actually regulates all outdoor burning in the state of Texas,” May said.

May said a property owner would need a lot of vacant property to meet those guidelines.

“You have to stay 300 feet away from roads, buildings, homes, pipeline right-of-ways, well locations, anything like that,” May said.

He said that to meet this requirement, you would probably need at least six acres, and in the city:

“Most people just don’t qualify for it,” May said.

Which means they can’t burn. He said that even if the distance is sufficient, a citation can still be issued:

“If we get complaints, if the fire gets away from you,” May said.

May said Monday’s fire on Memphis Street in Longview did not meet distancing requirements and the landowner was issued a citation. And then:

“We believe that on Tuesday, when the storm hit, the fire piles re-intensified and spread to the vacant house, and another ruling was issued,” May said.

The house was located on the same landowner’s plot. May said almost all properties in Longview are not large enough to burn, but if they do have organic storm debris:

“You can put it on the curb and call the city and they will accept bulk items. They will come and pick it up,” May said.

May wants to remind residents that in the city of Longview, burning storm debris is illegal in almost 100% of cases.

May said if Longview residents have questions about incineration, they should contact LFD. Fines for smoking within city limits can be up to $2,000 per violation.

Longview Fire Marshal Kevin May explains TCEQ guidelines and city regulations regarding burning within city limits.