Colfax looks to encourage yard debris dumping

COLFAX — Dump not burn is suggested by the Colfax Fire Department.

Fire Department Officer in Charge Jake Smith spoke to the city council Monday night. He asked them to consider ways to “incentivize” residents to use the local land waste dump to dispose of yard debris instead of burning.

He noted burning debris at the Colfax Golf Course on Jan. 28 that “smoked out the entire city.”

“I’m not really too excited about increasing our restriction levels on these small burns,” said councilmember Jim Kackman.

“...the last thing I want to do is impose more restrictions,” said Smith.

Council representative Crystal Christopherson asked about public service announcements.

Kackman then asked if Smith was talking about the waste transfer station south of Colfax or the in-town site by the sewer ponds. Smith said the one in town.

Kackman said he would be interested in encouraging residents to drop off debris at the local site.

Permitted burn days are designated by the state Department of Ecology largely based on wind conditions.

“Leaves are probably the biggest producer of nasty smoke that sticks in the valley,” said Colfax Public Works Director Matt Hammer.